Nonsense- Middlesbrough boss Wilder hits back at McGree claims

Chris Wilder has dismissed as nonsense claims that Riley McGree’s decision to join Middlesbrough was based on finance. 

On Sunday news emerged of Celtic’s interest in the midfielder with sources in Australia and the United States claiming that a transfer deal was well advanced with Charlotte FC. 

Nothing was heard directly from the player or either club but on Wednesday it seemed that Middlesbrough were in pole position to sign McGree who spent the first half of this season on loan at Birmingham City. 

Ange Postecoglou confirmed yesterday that Celtic’s interest had ended with social media reports suggesting that Middlesbrough had outbid the hoops in terms of a transfer fee and personal terms. 

The Northern Echo reports: 

While a reported fee of £5 million for McGree has done the rounds, it’s understood to be wide of the mark with the fee considered to be substantially less. 

With Boro conducting a busy January transfer window and looking set to confirm their fourth signing, Wilder was quick to debunk rumours that a lot of money has been spent to get these players in. 

The Boro boss added: “There is a lot of nonsense being talked by the way, I need to get to the bottom of it, that we’ve blown people out of the water in terms of fees, wages with Flo (Balogun), Aaron Connolly, with Riley McGree. We’ve been into these players for a while now. 

Middlesbrough are currently in seventh place in the English Championship, one point away from a Play-Off place and nine behind Fulham in the second automatic promotion place. 

After signing three players from the J-League on December 31 Postecoglou has played down the prospect of any more signings being imminent.