Middlesbrough centre-half Daniel Ayala is a January transfer target for Leeds United, according to reports.
The Northern Echo have suggested the Teesside club fear losing both Ayala and versatile full-back George Friend midway through the season, with both player’s contracts expiring next summer alongside former Whites players Jonny Howson and Adam Clayton.
Ayala, 29, is said to be on the radar of United’s scouting department as they look to bolster their squad during their push for promotion.
The latest link is something of a bolt from the blue for the Whites, with Marcelo Bielsa thought to be happy with his options in defence, with Gaetano Berardi deputising for the first-choice centre-half pairing.
The Spaniard has been an ever-present for Middlesbrough since joining in 2014. He played a vital role in their promotion to the Premier League in 2016, but became more of a peripheral figure during their one-season stint back up in the top flight.
He scored an impressive seven goals as a centre-half during the 2017/18 season, but failed to reach the same tally, scoring just once, as Tony Pulis’s goal-shy side narrowly missed out on the play-offs last season.
With Jonathan Woodgate in charge, Middlesbrough are really struggling this season and could be braced for tougher times ahead with several key players touted to leave. They’re currently in the relegation zone with 13 points, and just two wins, from 16 games.
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