Middlesbrough must make a move to sign Jonas Knudsen
Ipswich Town defender Jonas Knudsen could be on his way out of the club at the end of the season when his contract expires, reports Ipswich Star.
The 26-year-old is in the final year of his current deal with the EFL Championship outfit and with no talks over a new deal taking place as of yet, the left-back has claimed that he is not averse to the thought of departing Portman Road next year.
Speaking last month to Danish outlet Tipsbladet (h/t Ipswich Star), Knudsen said:
“I’m out (of contract) in the summer and I have not heard anything from the club or the owner. I will look at my own situation and, in January, the window will open again, when I can also talk freely with other clubs. Then we have to take it from there.
“I have to look after myself. I’ve played over 160 matches lately and have not heard anything, so that’s how it is. I’m very open. I have always said that I like England, but I do not exclude other possibilities.”
Middlesbrough were keen on signing the Danish international in the summer transfer window (h/t Ipswich Star). And now that he has made it clear that he is open to leaving at the end of the season, should Boro rekindle their interest in Knudsen?
The 26-year-old joined Ipswich Town from his local side Esbjerg fB in the summer of 2015 for a fee of £300,000 (h/t Ipswich Star). Since moving to Portman Road, Knudsen has gone on to make 147 appearances for the club, scoring four times and setting up 9 more.
In the ongoing campaign, the left-back has taken the field on 21 occasions across all competitions but is yet to score or assist a single goal as the Tractor Boys find themselves rooted to the bottom of the Championship table.
In contrast, Middlesbrough are challenging for promotion and are currently sitting 6th on the table with 36 points from 21 matches this term. Manager Tony Pulis has turned the Teessiders into a formidable unit with a strong, well-balanced squad at his disposal.
The left side of the defence was somewhat of a liability for Boro at the start of the season with George Friend as the only specialized left-back in the squad. And while they did address it by signing Sam McQueen on loan from Southampton, the 23-year-old hasn’t been able to make an impact, starting once in the Championship (4 sub appearances) with no goals or assists to show for. Moreover, the defender has been sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury.
McQueen will return to his parent club once his loan deal expires. Meanwhile, Friend will turn 32 next October, leaving Middlesbrough in search of a left-sided full-back in the next summer once again. And they should look to address that issue by signing Knudsen.
The 26-year-old has plenty of experience in England, having been here for well over three years. And while his team may be struggling at the bottom of the table, he has performed decently enough and has impressed on the international stages with Denmark as well. And what makes him appealing is the fact that he will be available on a free transfer. Hence, Middlesbrough should act fast and look to secure his signing.
