Middlesbrough are on the verge of bringing ex-Ireland U21 international Finn Azaz to the Riverside on a permanent deal.
23-year-old Azaz has been recalled by parent club Aston Villa from a loan spell at Championship side Plymouth Argyle, and reports on Wednesday suggest he is now set to permanently move away from Villa Park.
The Athletic broke the story early on Wednesday afternoon, suggesting that Azaz - of Irish and Israeli descent and born in England - could even complete a permanent deal to sign for Middlesbrough in time to face his current club Aston Villa in the third round of the FA Cup this weekend.
READ HERE: "Not Today Kid" - Rory McIlroy Calls Out Roy Keane Over Autograph Snub
READ HERE: Ranked: The 5 Worst England 'Golden Generation' Managers
Irish-eligible star Finn Azaz set for Middlesbrough move
The deal to sign Finn Azaz is said to be worth £2.5 million and follows a two-and-a-half period with Aston Villa spent almost entirely on loan.
He first went to League Two side Newport County for the 2021-22 season. Azaz then went on to help Plymouth to promotion from League One last season, and was retained by the Pilgrims at the beginning of this season.
The Irish attacking midfielder has impressed in his 26 Championship appearances for Plymouth Argyle this season, scoring seven goals and notching up five assists. The most recent of those goals - a cushioned volley against Watford on Monday - was an absolute scorcher.
Can't get enough of this beautiful volley by former Ireland U21 Finn Azaz for Plymouth against Watford.pic.twitter.com/dmh7ERgVAb
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) January 2, 2024
With Plymouth sitting in 18th place, a move to Michael Carrick's Middlesbrough is a definite step up for Azaz.
After a ropey start to the season, Boro have somewhat settled and sit in 12th in the table. They are just four points off the play-off places, with 20 games still to play this season. Middlesbrough have also reached the League Cup semi-finals, where they will face Chelsea in a two-legged tie over the coming weeks.
Middlesbrough fans were excited by the news when it broke on Wednesday afternoon, and were particularly ecstatic at the surprisingly low fee the club had to fork out to acquire Azaz.
UP THE BORO https://t.co/ulzOkh2Ki9 pic.twitter.com/BARkJBZifr
— lil (@borogyal) January 3, 2024
Cracking little player, lovely bit of business https://t.co/pF5nxA75H3
— jordan walker (@Jordwalker19) January 3, 2024
i actually can’t believe this signing
not complaining, but how have we agreed him so cheap https://t.co/8JHfiOjM4H— katie (@katienayl) January 3, 2024
oh my days https://t.co/Pk0Zfmfo0G pic.twitter.com/YJSTZO8BfC
— D (@dxnnymfc) January 3, 2024
Finn Azaz was capped for the Ireland U21s in the European Championship play-off against Israel in September 2022, his sole international cap at any level.
If he can help to pull Middlesbrough towards the promotion places, Azaz may well work himself into contention for the Irish senior side in 2024.
SEE ALSO: Report: Manchester United Identify First Transfer Target Of Ratcliffe Era
