How Middlesbrough feel about signing Southampton striker Adam Armstrong | OneFootball

Adam Armstrong has been linked with a potential switch to the Riverside Stadium

Middlesbrough's stance over a potential signing for Southampton talisman Adam Armstrong has been reported amid claims that the forward could leave St Mary's for £15m.

According to Teesside Live, the automatic promotion-chasing Reds are keen on striking a deal for the 28-year-old if he becomes available for a transfer in the final days of the winter transfer window.

Kim Hellberg's side are currently in the thick of a battle against the likes of Coventry City, Ipswich Town and Hull City when it comes to achieving a first return to the Premier League since May 2017, and are currently well-placed when it comes to achieving this particular goal.

After going four Championship matches without scoring over the Christmas and New Year period, the Swede - who replaced Rob Edwards in November in rather controversial circumstances - has seen his side respond with four successive victories over the Saints, West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City and Preston North End, scoring a total of 13 goals across 360 minutes of league action.

Meanwhile, it has been well-documented that Southampton have failed to mount the sustained promotion bid which many envisaged the South Coast club to have at the beginning of the campaign, with Tonda Eckert in the midst of an indifferent run of form after his side initially showcased signs of a revival during a period of interim charge which followed Will Still's dismissal in November.

And, with Saints currently 15th in the Championship, having accumulated 37 points so far this term, some of Eckert's forwards have become the subject of exit talk.

The two most high-profile names on that front are former Boro loanee, Cameron Archer, and Armstrong, who could be set for a swift return to the North East.

Middlesbrough FC stance on potential Southampton FC, Adam Armstrong agreement revealed

Armstrong has become one of the most dependable strikers at Championship level in recent seasons, with his previous record at Blackburn Rovers enough to see Saints part with £15m for his services in the summer of 2021, allowing the experienced figure to make the step-up to the Premier League.

It has certainly been a mixed four-and-a-half year spell at St Mary's for the former England youth international, having been a part of two relegation campaigns from the top flight.

However, his most memorable and prolific season with Southampton would come during the 2023/24 term under Russell Martin, which saw the club make an immediate return to English football's elite.

Only Sammie Szmodics - then of Blackburn - netted more than Armstrong's 21 goals in the regular 46-game season, before the striker found target three more times in the play-offs against West Brom and Leeds United, with his strike against the Whites proving the difference in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium.

Despite Saints' struggles this season, Armstrong has already scored 11 times in 29 league appearances, although his time at the club could be reaching a swift end.

After links with Wolverhampton Wanderers surfaced, it was reported that the forward has considered the possibility of a new career challenge, with Wrexham and Boro subsequently heavily linked.

Alan Nixon claimed that a deal for Armstrong could cost the Red Dragons £15m if they fail to sign Siriki Cherif from Angers SCO, whilst Boro's stance on a deal has also been clarified.

Teesside Live's aforementioned report claims that there is very much interest from the Riverside Stadium club over the potential of signing the former Newcastle United academy graduate.

However, contrary to other reports, the publication claims that no official bid has been made yet, and that the price would have to be right for Middlesbrough to secure a deal.

It has also been stated that Saints are looking to sign another forward themselves, and that Armstrong came close to a potential switch to Boro last January, before joining West Brom on loan in what proved to be an underwhelming stint.

Adam Armstrong's experience could help fire Middlesbrough into the Premier League

Middlesbrough have made a serious attempt to strengthen their attack and creative options this window, having recently secured the services of Jeremy Sarmiento from Brighton and Hove Albion.

His addition came on top of pre-existing options such as Morgan Whittaker - the club's top scorer - Hayden Hackney, and Tommy Conway, who has made a timely return to form.

However, the striker has still only scored six goals this term, whilst David Strelec and Kaly Sene have struggled to make an impact.

As such, a deal for Armstrong would only signal the club's intent when it comes to promotion, and having scored 11 goals thus far, the forward isn't short on individual confidence, and it could be a deal similar to that of Jordan Rhodes in 2016, whose contributions in the second half of the season helped the North East side over the line.