Middlesbrough are marginally ahead of Sheffield United in the race to secure the signing of Luke Ayling following his Leeds United exit, according to Alan Nixon.
The veteran right-back is set to leave Elland Road at the end of the season and the expiry of his contract, with reports suggesting both Middlesbrough and the Blades have made sales pitches to the 32-year-old [Alan Nixon, 12 May].
Ayling spent the second half of the season on loan at the Riverside under Michael Carrick and while he hasn’t yet made a final decision on his future, Sun journalist Nixon suggested Middlesbrough lead the race “60-40”.
Writing on X on Sunday (12 May) Nixon said: “Tough choice but a good choice. If it was me I would wait to see who the two are signing first. If he has that luxury it would help.
“Boro maybe 60-40 ahead on current situations at clubs.”
Where will Luke Ayling transfer to as Leeds United exit confirmed?
It has been obvious for a long time now that Ayling’s time at Leeds United was coming to an end. Before his January exit, the former Bristol City man had quite quickly fallen down the pecking order under Daniel Farke.
A move to Middlesbrough or Sheffield United would allow the former Whites man to play regular football week in and week out in the second tier, something that just isn’t going to be offer for him at Elland Road.
Leeds will have to look at adding to their defensive ranks this summer, regardless of whether they win promotion because the only natural right back in their ranks is Sam Byram with Connor Roberts set to return to Burnley.
Hopefully, the Whites won’t have to face Ayling next season regardless of where Ayling ends up because they’ll have won promotion to the Premier League, but every fan will want to see him achieve success wherever he ends up.
