Rangers linked striker Britt Assombalonga was left out of Middlesbrough’s matchday squad for their clash against Watford on Easter Monday as his freeze-out continues.
GIVEMESPORT credited the Gers with interest in Assombalonga in March and Boro boss Neil Warnock confirmed last week that the forward would leave the Riverside Stadium when his contract expires at the end of the season [The Northern Echo].
In a bizarre turnaround, the 28-year-old, who was signed for a club record £15m from Nottingham Forest in 2017, has gone from being named captain to little more than an observer in a matter of months.
When confirming his imminent exit, Warnock hinted that Assombalonga would struggle for playing time and he didn’t make the starting XI or the eight-man bench for a 1-1 home draw against Watford on Monday afternoon, ensuring he hasn’t been involved in five of Boro’s last six fixtures.
It’s clear that the manager wants the high-earning forward off the books, but it seems strange to opt against using a player of his pedigree, especially given that the North East club are struggling in front of goal.
If Rangers are lining up a summer swoop, they would likely prefer that Assombalonga didn’t go through a long period of inactivity.
However, given that he will soon be available for nothing, the club may well decide that he’s worth moving for regardless.
The powerful DR Congo international has scored 131 goals in 344 club appearances across his career, with 47 of his strikes coming in 159 outings for Middlesbrough.
Meanwhile, a current Rangers player has spoken out amid uncertainty regarding his Ibrox future.
