⁠Middlesbrough FC ready possible January exit for £10k-a-week man | OneFootball

Seny Dieng has been out of action for Middlesbrough since December 2024

Seny Dieng's future at Middlesbrough is in doubt amid Rob Edwards' update on his return from injury, with the club seemingly open to a possible sale in January.

The goalkeeper hasn’t featured for the Teesside outfit since December last year, playing in a 3-1 loss to Leeds United, and it is being reported by The Northern Echo that his time at the club could come to an end as soon as the new year.

An Achilles injury has kept him out of action for 10 months, which came as a blow to Boro last year in their pursuit of promotion under Michael Carrick.

He made the move to Boro from rivals QPR in the 2023 transfer window, and immediately cemented himself as the first-choice between the sticks, but his place in the team is now in doubt as he nears a return to full fitness.

Sol Brynn has earned his place as Dieng’s replacement in the side under Edwards this season, featuring in each of their opening nine games in the league, and conceding only six times.

Middlesbrough take Seny Dieng transfer stance ahead of January

It is believed that Middlesbrough could be open to moving on Dieng in the January transfer window, with his contract set to expire in the summer of 2027.

The goalkeeper is understood to be one of the highest earners at the Riverside, with estimated figures from Capology suggesting he is making £10,000 per week.

These figures claim that there are actually 12 players who earn more than Dieng now, with a number of fresh faces joining the club in the recent transfer window, with Edwards now shaping the squad to his liking.

It remains to be seen whether Dieng will make a return for Boro immediately after the international break, especially given Brynn's current form.

The 30-year-old will be aiming to get game time back in the team, as he sets his sights on competing for Senegal in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations at the start of the new year.

If he is unable to supplant Brynn in the squad, then he may miss out on competing in the international tournament, having missed out two years ago through another injury issue.

Edwards has confirmed that Dieng wasn’t with the squad for their recent clash against Portsmouth as he was competing for the U21 side instead in order to get some game time under his belt.

He expressed his delight with having the Middlesbrough goalkeeper back to fitness, and that this appearance was just the latest step in his journey back to the first team squad.

“We didn’t take Seny with us [to Portsmouth] because he went to Brighton with the Under-21s,” said Edwards, via The Northern Echo.

“He was getting his first minutes since his injury.

“It’s all part of his process and the progress that he’s making.

“It’s great to have him returning to fitness.”

Dieng made 17 appearances in the Championship for Middlesbrough last season before his injury issue cut short his campaign, which hurt the club's promotion push under Carrick.

Next up for Edwards’ side is a home clash against potential promotion rivals Ipswich Town on 17 October, which could be Dieng’s first chance to get back into the team.

Now could be a good time to cash in on Seny Dieng

Dieng was a crucial part of the team under Carrick, but the combination of his injury, Edwards' arrival as manager and Brynn's good form could make this a good time to instead cash in on him.

The 30-year-old has a proven track record of being a solid Championship level goalkeeper, but he may struggle to earn his place back in the team and there would be no reason to keep him on his £10,000 per week deal if he isn't even playing.

It is a short-term boost for Edwards that the Senegal international is close to being available again, as having some competition for the role of first choice goalkeeper can be useful, and Dieng will be desperate to get into the Senegal squad for AFCON after missing out two years ago, giving him extra motivation to earn his spot back.

However, with his contract also expiring in 2027, it makes sense in the long run for Boro to keep their options open in January in case a reasonable does come in from somewhere, as Brynn has proven himself as a capable number one.