Riley McGree is unlikely to sign for Middlesbrough before the weekend.
That is the line being used by Keith Downie of Sky Sports who covers the north-east with the main focus obviously on Newcastle.
Today’s leaked updates seemed to suggest that the Middlesbrough deal was cut and dried but if it isn’t to be completed by the weekend the door is open to further developments.
The midfielder, once of Adelaide United certainly seems to fit the bill for an Ange Postecoglou signing but the Celtic boss won’t be impressed by the public nature of this proposed transfer.
#Middlesbrough are closing in on the £2.5m signing of #CharlotteFC midfielder Riley McGree. He’s in the UK and undergoing a medical with #Boro today (w/ @AnthonyRJoseph + @SkySports_Keith) #Boro https://t.co/OzHTtF6aQx
— Lyall Thomas (@SkySportsLyall) January 12, 2022
Middlesbrough are close to signing Aussie midfielder Riley McGree. Fee around £2.5m plus add-ons agreed with Charlotte FC. Player having his medical – but unlikely to be signed before the weekend. Chris Wilder a busy man right now
w/@AnthonyRJoseph #UTB #Boro— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) January 12, 2022
UPDATE: Middlesbrough are closing in on the signing of Charlotte FC midfielder Riley McGree for £2.5m, plus add-ons.
Deal expected to be completed this week.
As reported last night, talks between the player and Celtic had stalled.
(Also w/@SkySports_Keith & @SkySportsLyall) https://t.co/IsIVYZvQV1
— Anthony Joseph (@AnthonyRJoseph) January 12, 2022
Importantly the player hasn’t said a word since leaving Birmingham, neither Celtic or Middlesbrough have been described as his dream move.
This week’s developments look like an agent ensuring that their client is in the spotlight, if two clubs are in public negotiations the agent has done their job.
The final decision is likely to come down to the player, it is unlikely that the offers from Celtic and Middlesbrough are poles apart.
There could be a large bonus and wages increase on the table if Middlesbrough win promotion but a place in the EPL might also bring in a raft of new signings at the Riverside.
Four days after Celtic’s interest was declared in the Daily Mail it seems that no definite decision has been taken. Until the quirky social media videos are released the future of McGree is still unclear.
Move on – liked what I read about him , couple grand here / there let him go to Boro – all about the money see ya
Who the fook is this Greedy O’Reilly anyway?
Good luck in the north east with that European superpower kid…I’m backing Coventry to go up, all in
Another average player waiting for the best offer rather than thinking about his football . Go down south and enjoy playing in the lower division for the next 2 year , borough are going no where fast , enjoy son
Dodged a bullet. McGree is over rated. A bit player for the national u23 team and not likely to hold down a spot for full international side. Can’t knock Rogic out of the national team so very unlikely to knock him or Turnbull out of the Celtic side.
May even struggle to get into the Middleborough team.
Hearts would be his ideal team, they like to sign Aussies that are bang average.