Football
Exclusive: Middlesbrough Move to Make Alan Browne Loan Permanent
Middlesbrough are looking to secure Alan Browne permanently after the midfielder helped Sunderland achieve promotion. Browne, on loan with Boro, aims for back-to-back promotions and tentative talks are underway for a deal at the end of the season. The experienced player is a key asset for Boro in their push for promotion to the Premier League.
Middlesbrough v Preston North End - Sky Bet Championship by NurPhoto | Getty Images
Promotion-chasing Middlesbrough want to make Alan Browne’s loan move permanent, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
The central-midfielder, 30, helped Sunderland earn promotion to the Premier League last season and felt aggrieved when he was deemed surplus to requirements for their return to the top flight.
On loan with second-placed Boro, Browne has the chance to secure back-to-back promotions to the promised land.
Our sources understand tentative talks have been held between the two clubs over the possibility of a deal come the end of the season.
Browne was a free transfer when he penned his three-year deal at Sunderland in 2024 and will have a year left on his contract when he returns to the club in May.
And Boro, who also want to make Matt Targett's loan permanent as we revealed earlier this month, are understood to be at the front of the queue with the player loving life on Teesside.
Browne, who has been filling in at right-back in recent weeks due to the injury to Callum Brittain, said: “It's great playing for this manager because although you're playing full-back you find yourselves in some really good areas. I'm learning and hopefully improving by the week.”
When asked if the club can get promoted this term, he added: “Of course we can, that's why we're up there. We've got a really good team. We had a couple of bad patches this season but we never went under, we never sank, we stuck together and tried to put things right as much as we can.”
Boro are also aiming to make Matt Targett’s loan move permanent at the end of the season, with the club determined to secure his services regardless of whether they achieve promotion.
Experience Key
Browne is an experienced head at Championship level and was brought in by Boro bosses for his knowledge of getting promoted to the top flight.
The Republic of Ireland international was a cult figure at Preston North End, where he made over 400 appearances during his decade-long stay at the club.
Browne ultimately failed in his quest to help the Lilywhites get promoted and he moved to Sunderland 18 months ago, making 22 appearances during the promotion-winning campaign.
Now at Boro, Browne is desperate to finally get the crack at the Premier League he has been chasing.
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