Why Middlesbrough should beat the competition to sign Vidar Orn Kjartansson

A host of Championship clubs are interested in signing Maccabi Tel Aviv striker Vidar Orn Kjartansson this summer. Kjartansson has been turning out for the Israeli side for the past two seasons and has been impressive so far, netting 42 goals in 71 appearances across competitions for Maccabi Tel Aviv.

The 28-year-old Iceland international has two years left on his current deal. Middlesbrough, West Bromwich Albion and Queens Park Rangers are in a three-way race to land his signature. Relegated from the Premier League last season, West Brom are in dire need of a talented forward.

New manager Darren Moore must reinforce his attacking department, especially with the transfer deadline quickly approaching.

QPR are in the market to strengthen their squad, following the appointment of Steve McClaren. Although they have Conor Washington, Matt Smith and Idrissa Sylla in their ranks, the players failed to make their mark last campaign. Their search for a striker continues and a similar situation is brewing at Middlesbrough as well.

Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis is weighing his options despite already having a number of strikers at his disposal at the Riverside Stadium. To that end, centre-forward Kjartansson could be a great addition for Boro this summer.

In the 2016/17 season, Kjartansson topped the Israeli Premier League scoring charts. Last season, he scored a decent 15 goals in 35 games.  A move away could benefit the 28-year old’s career and help him progress further. To that end, moving to England’s second-tier could be a great move.

Kjartansson has 18 caps for Iceland so far, netting twice goals in the process. However, the attacker played no part in the recent World Cup, failing to make it to the final 23-man Iceland squad.

Interestingly, Kjartansson has never stayed at a club for more than two seasons. The striker has played in China, Sweden, Norway and Israel, impressing at Malmo and Maccabi Tel Aviv.

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In the last term, Middlesbrough came tantalizingly close to securing a promotion to the Premier League. Boro narrowly lost to Aston Villa in the playoff semi-finals. To undo the wrongs, Pulis needs a proven striker to fire his side to glory and that could be Kjartansson.