New twist emerges in Middlesbrough effort to sign Jeremy Sarmiento from Brighton | OneFootball

Jeremy Sarmiento has been heavily linked with a loan move to the Riverside Stadium

Middlesbrough FC have reportedly hit a stumbling block in their aims of taking Brighton and Hove Albion winger, Jeremy Sarmiento, on loan to the Riverside Stadium for the remainder of the Championship season.

That is according to the Daily Mail, with Kim Hellberg looking to add further creative firepower to his ranks on Teesside as the Reds continue to dream of promotion back to the Premier League for the first time since their relegation back to the second tier in May 2017.

The Swede has overseen a mixture of results since taking over from Rob Edwards in late November, as Middlesbrough are only two points ahead of Ipswich Town in third, who Sarmiento helped reach the Premier League for the first time in 22 years back in the latter stages of the 2023/24 season on loan from the Seagulls.

Whilst Hellberg and the likes of head of football, Kieran Scott, continue to identify a host of potential recruits who could aid Boro's promotion ambitions, his side have recorded back-to-back victories in the Championship over Southampton and West Bromwich Albion as they head into another tricky clash against Stoke City at the Bet365 Stadium on Wednesday night.

However, his team will be brimming with confidence and belief as they eventually navigated their way past the Baggies' valiant efforts in the second period to ensure Eric Ramsay's first outing at The Hawthorns ended in defeat, with Delano Burgzorg - who has been the subject of recently heavy exit talk - latching onto Aidan Morris' through ball in the final seconds of normal time, with his composed finish seeing the Reds emerge 3-2 victors in the West Midlands.

Hellberg has already seen one player 'move' to the Riverside since the transfer window re-opened for business on New Year's Day, with Adilson Malanda registering his first two appearances for the club against the Saints and Baggies, albeit his long-term switch from Major League Soccer outfit, Charlotte FC, was confirmed back in September under Edwards' management, although his subsequent 'loan' period with Dean Smith's side would terminate in the final days of 2025.

Yet, whilst Boro have responded to four games without a goal with seven strikes in just over 180 minutes, it seems that there is still a fair amount of negotiating required to ensure they land Sarmiento's signature in the coming days.

Middlesbrough FC hit stumbling block in loan swoop for Brighton and Hove Albion's Jeremy Sarmiento

It was first reported on January 6th by local publication, the Northern Echo, that Sarmiento had featured upon a list of potential options which could bolster Middlesbrough's creative options throughout Hellberg's first transfer window in the English game.

The aforementioned report also stated that it remains to be seen just how many incomings could help the Boro boss strike a "perfect balance" with those who have often featured behind a lone striker in a regular 4-2-3-1 setup, with Tommy Conway featuring in said role at The Hawthorns.

Sarmiento, of course, is currently in the thick of his fourth loan spell away from the AMEX Stadium, although his spell with Serie A newcomers, Cremonese, has hardly gone as planned.

Indeed, the 24-time Ecuadorian international has only played seven times for the Italian side, with the last of those outings coming through a substitute cameo in a 1-0 defeat to Pisa back on November 7th.

It had been reported earlier this month that the 23-year-old had suffered an injury, which has coincided with the fact he has been omitted from Cremonese's last three Serie A squads, as they are back in league action on Monday night against Hellas Verona.

It was then claimed by Sky Sports that Brighton were considering a recall from the Stadio Giovanni Zini due to a lack of gametime and interest from Championship sides, although such a decision would only be made if interest in his services was deemed 'sufficient'.

However, whilst the specific reasoning has not been revealed, the Daily Mail have since reported that Middlesbrough and Brighton are at an impasse in talks, which will come as a blow.

Given the fact the aforementioned Burgzorg has been linked with a move to Bristol City, as well as the general need for further reinforcements, Boro will be hoping they can swiftly reignite this loan swoop for Sarmiento, who has previously flourished in the second tier.

As well as the fact his versatility will be a huge bonus, the Madrid-born man has won promotion twice from the division with Ipswich and Burnley, whilst racking up 11 goal contributions in 75 appearances, having also featured for West Brom under Carlos Corberan.