Fulham winger's future is up in the air - Middlesbrough have to be ready to pounce | OneFootball

Middlesbrough have to keep an eye on Adama Traore's Fulham future.

Fulham's Adama Traore is facing an uncertain future.

The winger joined Fulham in the summer of 2023, after leaving Wolverhampton Wanderers on a free transfer. As of now, he is set to leave Craven Cottage under the same circumstances at the end of the season, while Fulham are reportedly looking to bring in a fee for the Spaniard in January.

Interest from West Ham has been reported, with Nuno Espirito Santo said to be keen on reuniting with Traore, while a return to Wolves has also been mentioned as a possibility.

And on the topic of reunions, Middlesbrough have to be ready to pounce.

Traore previously spent two years at the Riverside, joining the club from Aston Villa in 2016, before he went on to join Wolves following their promotion to the Premier League in 2018, and he very much remains popular on Teeside due to his exploits in red and white.

Middlesbrough could offer something different to Wolves and West Ham

Heading into the festive period, Middlesbrough are flying in the Championship. After a good start under Rob Edwards, the Teesiders have shifted further through the gears under Kim Hellberg, with Boro occupying second, seven points clear of Preston North End in third.

On the other hand, Wolves are rooted to the bottom of the Premier League, having picked up just two points in 16 outings. The current likelihood is that the Old Gold will be playing Championship football next term, and as tipped by many when Edwards left Middlesbrough for Wolves, there is a big chance of the clubs swapping places in the pyramid by May.

While the situation at West Ham is not as dire as the one at Molineux, the Irons also sit in the relegation zone, with three points separating Nuno's side and Leeds United.

If a move were to be possible in January, Traore would add serious depth to Hellberg's squad as Boro look to reach the Premier League for the first time since their 2017 relegation.

He would instantly challenge for a starting spot, and unlike his prior spell at the club, he would arrive with serious top-flight and European experience.

Middlesbrough fans will feel there is unfinished business with Traore

Boro were relegated from the Premier League just a year on from their 2016 promotion with relative ease. But after the hiring of Garry Monk, and the arrivals of Britt Assombalonga, Martin Braithwaite, Jonny Howson and more over the summer, the Teesiders entered the 2017/18 Championship campaign as red-hot favourites to ascend once again.

Things would not initially go as planned, with Monk sacked during the Christmas period, before being replaced by Tony Pulis. And it would be under the experienced head coach that Boro fans saw the best of Traore.

From January onward, he would become a talismanic figure. To say that everything positive for Boro went through Traore would be an understatement.

Finishing the season with five goals and 12 assists across all competitions, he was exceptional for Pulis as they claimed a play-off place, before losing out to Aston Villa at the semi-final stage. Despite the criticisms regarding his decision-making and end product, no wideman in English football could be compared to the Spaniard in regard to his athletic talent.

Picking up the Player's Player of the Year, Supporters Player of the Year, and Young Player of the Year awards, Traore was undoubtedly the main man at the Riverside.

He would terrorise the champions-elect, Wolves, in an eventual 2-1 loss that placed Nuno's side on the brink of promotion in April. Though the performance would serve as a fitting audition, with Wolves activating his £18 million release clause as they prepared for Premier League life.

Had the Teesiders gone on to achieve promotion as envisaged that season, Boro fans may well have seen a lot more of Traore than they did. But for his exploits, he will always remain popular among fans and would be welcomed back with open arms if a return were possible.