MIDDLESBROUGH are closely monitoring the situation of their former defender Nathan Wood after Southampton made a big-money move to sign the Swansea centre-half - with Boro in line to receive a percentage of the fee if he moves on.
Wood left Boro for the Swans 12 months ago and enjoyed a hugely impressive season in Wales under Russell Martin.
Martin left Swansea for Southampton this summer and is now keen on a reunion with Wood, with the Saints having reportedly made an offer for the 21-year-old. The bid, according to reports on Tuesday morning, is £7m up-front and potentially rising to £10m.
Boro will keep a close eye on developments. While the exact percentage is not known, Boro did include what has been described to the Northern Echo as a "very healthy" sell-on clause when Wood left for Swansea last summer.
Wood - the son of former defender Dean Gordon - became Boro's youngest ever player when he made his debut aged 16 years and 72 days against Notts County in the EFL Cup in 2018. He went on to make 14 senior appearances.
The defender was obviously highly rated at Boro but was down the pecking order under former boss Chris Wilder and had reached the stage where he wanted to be playing more first team football last summer.
Boro were aware of the defender's potential, hence ensuring they included the sell-on clause when agreeing to his exit last summer.
READ MORE:
- Key quality of summer recruits that Carrick believes will benefit Boro in long run
- Confident Michael Carrick targets momentum repeat & points to 'big picture' at Boro
- Neil Warnock fires Chuba Akpom warning to Ajax after 'miracle' Middlesbrough deal
Wood started 40 of Swansea's 46 games last season, quickly establishing himself as a key man under Martin.
Before his exit for Southampton, Swansea's former boss said of Wood: “He is becoming a real leader in the group, he’s one of the louder ones we have on the pitch and in the dressing room.
"He is just a brilliant young man who we have hopefully helped be able to express himself on the pitch and off it.
“He’s an incredible learner and he’s incredibly brave with the way that he plays. He will play at the very top, no doubt about it. He is a huge asset to the football club, on the pitch and off the pitch. He will be a huge asset financially at some point."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel