Clubs express loan interest in Middlesbrough youngster – exclusive | OneFootball

Fellow Championship clubs are keen on signing Middlesbrough defender Finley Munroe on loan this summer, Hayters understands.

Munroe signed for Boro in January from Aston Villa, following a successful loan spell at Swindon Town in League Two.

But boss Kim Hellberg has handed the full-back just three Championship appearances since signing.

Munroe is seen as Boro’s left-back for the long-term future, but has found himself behind Matt Targett and Alex Bangura in the pecking order under Hellberg.

Targett is set to return to parent club Newcastle United this summer while Bangura’s long-term future is unclear, meaning Munroe could be line for an increased opportunity next season.

But Boro are considering loan interest in Munroe, who is the cousin of Arsenal and England midfielder Declan Rice, and whether he could benefit from having more guaranteed game time somewhere else.

The 21-year-old came to Middlesbrough with rave reviews from Swindon boss Ian Holloway, who questioned Villa’s decision to let the youngster go on a permanent deal.

“We’ve just lost the quality he gave us down there,” Holloway said after Munroe’s loan spell at the League Two club was cut short. “I can’t get someone from Middlesbrough, who has a four-year contract, who are paying him what they have decided to pay him.

“Well done to Middlesbrough for recognising it. Aston Villa, you should be ashamed of yourselves. You let go one of the best future left-backs I have ever seen in my lifetime, and I have seen a few. Some of them played in the Premier League with me and for me. I think they have made a terrible blunder.”

His future could also be impacted by the outcome of an investigation into alleged spying by Southampton on a Middlesbrough training session.

Boro were beaten by Southampton in the play-off semi-finals, but there remains a possibility that Southampton could be kicked out, which would see Middlesbrough replace them in the final against Hull City at Wembley for a chance at promotion to the Premier League.