Middlesbrough backed to seal 'big upgrade' from Brighton - Burgzorg is 'nowhere near good enough' | OneFootball

Jeremy Sarmiento is currently out on loan in the Italian Serie A with Cremonese

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…

Jeremy Sarmiento has been linked with a loan switch to EFL Championship side Middlesbrough this January window, with Boro head coach Kim Hellberg looking to add reinforcements in attacking areas this winter to strengthen the club's promotion hopes.

Despite a recent dip in form, Middlesbrough remain hot on Coventry City's tails in the battle for the top spot in the second-tier table.

Boro have defied pre-season expectations to launch themselves into promotion contention this campaign, first under Rob Edwards before his departure to Wolverhampton Wanderers, and now under Swedish boss Kim Hellberg.

Hellberg won each of his first four matches in charge on Teesside, but would follow that up with just one point and no goals in their following four fixtures before their most recent 4-0 thumping over Southampton.

Over that four-game goalless period, Boro registered a staggering 93 shots without scoring, as it's clear that whilst they are not struggling to create chances, they have struggled to put them away.

With the January window underway, Hellberg is seemingly keen to add reinforcements at the top end of the pitch, having been linked with a move for Ecuadorian winger Jeremey Sarmiento, who is currently on loan in Italy with Serie A side Cremonese from Brighton and Hove Albion.

Sarmiento is in a squad alongside former Boro man Martin Payero and Leicester City legend Jamie Vardy, though with just 137 league minutes under his belt this season, his loan may well get cut short, and Boro could offer him an immediate opportunity.

Jeremy Sarmiento would be 'quite a big upgrade' on some of Middlesbrough's current attacking options

Football League World's Middlesbrough fan pundit, Liam, has shared their views on whether Sarmiento would be a good addition at The Riverside, or whether Boro should pursue different options in the forward areas.

Liam said, "I think in this January window we really need to upgrade in each position, and currently I think Saramento plays on the left wing."We've been starting Burgzorg, who, in my opinion, is nowhere near good enough. I see Saramento as quite a big upgrade."I look at his defensive stats, he seems to be a really, really good presser, and Hellberg spoke about how he wants to win the ball but constantly, quite high up the pitch, so he fits well."He seems more of a Riley McGree type player, linking up play well. I'm not too worried about stats and starts. He's been training, he'll be fit, he'll be ready to go."He knows this league, he knows what it takes to get out of this league with Ipswich, and whilst he didn't play too much then and came off the bench mainly, he was still in and around that squad and knows what it takes and what it means to get out of this league."So it's one I'd be completely fine with us doing. I'd want at least maybe one or two other attackers, potentially, but it's one I'd like to see Boro complete.

Jeremy Sarmiento has achieved Championship promotion twice and would add quality and experience to Kim Hellberg's squad

Middlesbrough currently have an array of options in attacking areas, though aside from Morgan Whittaker, none have really put up the desired numbers.

Whittaker has blown hot and cold during his time on Teesside, with his first nine months at the club yielding no goals, but hit a rich vein of form around late November to mid-December, sitting on ten goals so far this campaign, one off the top scorer in the league.

Then, you would have to go down to David Strelec, Tommy Conway, and Hayden Hackney for Boro's next top scorer, each with just three, and it's obvious to see that they are lacking in consistent numbers up top.

With the likes of Kaly Sene, Sontje Hansen, Micah Hamilton, Delano Burgzorg, Riley McGree and Samuel Silvera also offering options in attack, Hellberg isn't exactly short on options, though they lacked the required quality.

Sarmiento has won promotion to the Premier League with both Burnley and Ipswich Town in his career, and at just 23, knows exactly what it takes to get out of this division.

The 24-time capped Ecuadorian international is not getting the game time at Cremonese, and a switch to Boro could suit all parties, with Sarmiento providing both quality and experience to Hellberg's side, who have their sights set on the Premier League.