Middlesbrough boss Garry Monk prepared to pay huge £15m for Nottingham Forest ace Britt Assombalonga
New Boro chief determined to land striker as he plots an instant return to the Premier League
MIDDLESBROUGH are prepared to pay a staggering £15million for striker Britt Assombalonga.
New Boro boss Garry Monk has targeted the Nottingham Forest star as the man to fire his side to promotion.
The hitman has scored 30 goals in 47 Championship starts for the Tricky Trees.
And with interest from Burnley in the player, the north-east club are now ready to spend more than the £10m they were initially expecting to hand over.
Assombalonga has a poor injury record.
Despite that, he still netted 14 times last season after returning from his latest knee problem.
Boro also hope to wrap up the signing of Norwich midfielder Jonny Howson.
Meanwhile, Chris Gunter will not be joining Monk at The Riverside.
The experienced Reading full-back had a £1m release fee in his contract.
Boro had activated that with a bid earlier this week.
However, the 27-year-old has opted instead to pen a new deal with the Royals.
Gunter has agreed to extend his stay at the Madejski Stadium for another three years.