Ex-Sunderland man Duncan Watmore still hopeful of Middlesbrough deal but has other options

The 26-year-old is a free agent after he was released by Sunderland in the summer was close to signing for Indian Super League club East Bengal before learning about Boro’s interest.

Watmore has been training with the Teessiders for the last few weeks, with manager Neil Warnock keen to sign the player and bolster the squad’s attacking options.

EFL clubs have been hampered in the transfer market due to reduced revenue streams caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

It emerged last week the EFL board will allow clubs to defer tax arrangements to aid financial problems which have been created by the pandemic, or if they have agreed a new repayment schedule with HMRC (Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs).

Clubs have been told the introduction of a new 'Covid PAYE liability rule' will enable them to make short-term savings on tax and avoid a transfer embargo until February at the earliest.

That will allow clubs more wriggle room to sign free agents before the January transfer market, and make new additions once the window reopens.

It’s believed the transfer embargo was a potential stumbling block in the Watmore deal, yet the forward is still awaiting an offer.

Boro have been assessing the free agent market after missing out on multiple targets, including Everton’s Yannick Bolasie, during the last transfer window.

Warnock is hopeful Boro can at least offer Watmore a short-term deal until January.

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