Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg addresses the club’s links to Jeremy Sarmiento, which could be a transfer defeat for Wrexham and other clubs interested in the winger.
Despite the criticism about Wrexham’s sluggish January window start, the club has recouped well lately. While the Reds are yet to welcome a transfer signing, the side has established enough attacking contacts to keep the fans entertained until the deadline day.
Meanwhile, the expectations from Wrexham have shifted once more as the window progresses towards a close. Earlier, asked for transfer moves, now, the Welsh side is expected to turn rumours into reality or end them.
Analysing from this aspect, Phil Parkinson’s words on Sidiki Cherif are valuable. While it practically keeps the rumour in limbo, it’s still a step forward for multiple reasons.
Rationally, even extensive discussions fall short in validating a record fee transfer like the one involved. The fact that no confirmation or official acknowledgement is present about other transfers like Davis Keillor-Dunn or Sarmiento, Parky’s comment on Cherif’s rumours is well appreciated.
To Wrexham fans’ relief, another useful bit of information on a transfer link comes from a Championship camp. It’s Boro boss, Kim Hellberg, as the manager spells out an update on Middlesbrough’s pursuit of Wrexham target Jeremy Sarmiento.
As quoted by the Northern Echo, Hellberg didn’t flinch away upon being asked about Boro’s Sarmiento links. Instead, he handled the question smartly, saying: “He’s still a good player! That hasn’t changed. We will see what happens there.”
Hellberg’s comment hints at serious interest in Sarmiento
Reading between the lines of Hellberg’s claim, it’s a private “Yes” with public ambiguity. With multiple reports confirming Middlesbrough’s resurgent interest in Sarmiento, the 23-year-old feels close to a switch.
Having redirected Sarmiento’s destination from Birmingham to the Riverside Stadium, it’d be a massive transfer win for Boro if they finalise the move. Especially, how the club felt like a token bidder behind the Blues and Wrexham when Jeremy’s transfer saga broke out.
READ MORE: Predicted Wrexham lineup vs QPR: Nathan Broadhead returns?
READ MORE: Crystal Palace’s stance on Sidiki Cherif is crystal clear for Wrexham to see
READ MORE: Wrexham training shows January’s best player faces healthy competition for places
From a sporting perspective, a move for Sarmiento fixes the only weak link in Boro’s lineup. Having scored 9 goals in the last 3 games, their attack has been on a roll lately. Sarmiento’s addition makes the attack even more competitive by filling it with a conventional left attacker.
Recently, Boro’s attack has been firing on all fronts except from the left. With Berzorg reduced to a substitute and Gilbert unable to fill in a makeshift left-midfield role, Middlesbrough’s desire for Sarmiento makes sense.
Coming in for a reasonable fee of £3.2m, Sarmiento perfects the Boro attack by unlocking the creativity from the left flank. That’s apart from the promotion luck he brings, as he may be in for a 3rd promotion around.
Boro’s Sarmiento deal barely affects Wrexham’s core plans
Losing a transfer race to a competitor club, let alone a Championship rival, is painstaking. While Wrexham are bound to develop this feeling, Boro’s interest in Sarmiento is a minor blip for the Reds’ transfer plans.
With the recent developments, Wrexham’s transfer priority has shifted a lot compared to when they were linked with Sarmiento. As per the speculations around Sidiki Cherif’s move, the teenager ought to be Wrexham’s big fish, to whom everything is secondary.
This possibility makes sense considering Wrexham’s fundamental playing system. With the club being strangers to conventional wingers in a 3-4-3 style, Jeremy Sarmiento just doesn’t fit in Parky’s gameplan naturally.
From a financial perspective, spending £3.2m on an unguaranteed system player rules out the interest further. Especially when Wrexham need to cash a fee as significant as £19m for priority reinforcement, Sidike Cherif.
Factoring in the considerations, Hellberg’s comment barely disrupts the Wrexham camp or their plans. While it is a green light for Boro to run with the deal, the Reds won’t mind losing this transfer battle to their rivals.
READ MORE WREXHAM NEWS HERE:
- Predicted Wrexham lineup vs QPR: Nathan Broadhead returns?
- Crystal Palace’s stance on Sidiki Cherif is crystal clear for Wrexham to see
- Wrexham training shows January’s best player faces healthy competition for places
- Phil Parkinson warns Wrexham fans about Sidiki Cherif links
- ‘Expected’ – Wrexham chasing the signature of 26-year-old former PL fullback
