Middlesbrough urged to put a pin in deal for 'aggressive' player | OneFootball

Elfsborg forward Jalal Abudllai has been linked with Kim Hellberg's Middlesbrough as the January window approaches

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Ahead of the January transfer window, Middlesbrough have seen themselves linked with Ghanaian forward Jalal Abdullai, who is currently plying his trade with Molde in Norway on loan from Swedish outfit Elfsborg.

Despite having lost former head coach Rob Edwards to Premier League outfit Wolverhampton Wanderers last month, Middlesbrough acted fast in bringing in former Hammarby head coach Kim Hellberg to take over the reins at The Riverside.

Boro sit in second place after 20 games, cutting the gap to Coventry City to just five points, having been ten points less than a week ago.

Hellberg has got his feet under the table quickly and hit the ground running on Teesside, winning each of his first three games in charge against Derby County, Hull City, and Charlton Athletic.

There has been little to complain about at the club this season, and with Morgan Whittaker having scored in each of his last five outings after a difficult start to life since his switch from Plymouth Argyle in January 2025, things couldn't be going too much better.

With the January transfer window approaching, Boro have seen themselves linked with Elfsborg forward Jalal Abdullai, who is currently on loan in Norway with Molde, where he has scored four goals and grabbed one assist in 20 league games this season.

Abdullai, the self-proclaimed 'aggressive, fast, and strong' forward, will have caught the eye of Hellberg during their time together in the Swedish top flight, and Boro may well be preparing a bid to bring him to Teesside.

Jalal Abdullai has been linked with a move to both Middlesbrough and Preston North End

Football League World's Middlesbrough fan pundit, Liam, has shared their views over the club's links to Abdullai and whether they think he would be a good signing for them.

Liam said: "I can't say I am too excited about a 20-year-old with nine goals in 24 appearances in that league, if I'm being honest with you.

"I think at this stage we need experienced players. Not old, but, you know, players in their prime, really, just to get us over the line.

"I still think play-offs are what we should expect. Whilst there's no doubt we should be investing in the future, a striker is just not really what we need.

"I think we've got Sene, Strelec, and everything, so I'd be quite shocked if we went for another striker.

"But, you know, he could be an interesting option. I don't know too much about him, but personally, as I said, I'd like to look in different areas, and I'd prefer it if we went for players with a bit more experience, especially of the championship, just to try and push us over the line to see if we can get automatics.

"But ultimately, the main aim should be securing the play-offs."

Kim Hellberg will have one eye on the January transfer following his Middlesbrough appointment

After three weeks in the job, Hellberg couldn't have really hoped for a better start to life in England, winning each of his first three games in charge and looking formidable in attack.

The Swedish head coach, who was brought in to pick up the mantle left behind by the outgoing Edwards, seemingly has one eye set on the January window, where he will likely be afforded a decent budget as Boro's promotion charge goes on.

He will have little to complain about with his side, reintroducing both Alex Bangura and Alex Gilbert back into the squad after both spent long periods out of the side, and both instantly performing like they were never out.