Middlesbrough's position on Isaiah Jones explained - as Luton hold talks on £5m deal
LUTON TOWN are in advanced talks with Middlesbrough over Isaiah Jones, and are willing to spend around £5m on the right winger.
However, while Boro are ready to do business over Jones this month, they are not forcing the 25-year-old out of the door and are willing to let him decide on his future.
And while there has been talk of separate interest from West Brom, Luton are the only club who are understood to have held formal discussions with the Boro hierarchy over Jones.
While Jones has been a first-team regular at various stages of his Boro career, which began when he joined from non-league Tooting & Mitcham in the summer of 2019, the Guyana international has found his opportunities severely restricted this season.
He has only made one start since the defeat at Sunderland in mid-September, with Michael Carrick preferring to start with loanee Ben Doak.
Jones was a second-half substitute in last weekend’s draw with Cardiff City, but finds himself battling with the likes of Micah Hamilton and Marcus Forss to be Doak’s understudy.
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There are question marks over Doak’s future beyond the end of the month, with Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town having had bids rejected by the winger’s parent club, Liverpool, but Jones’ position is regarded as a separate situation and Boro’s decision-making over him will not be influenced by what happens with Doak.
There is a sense that the time is right to move on and afford Jones the opportunity to rebuild his career elsewhere, with Boro currently having a full squad of 25 players registered with the EFL. If there are to be new additions this month, existing players will either have to be sold or drop off the squad list and become ineligible in the second half of the season.
Jones is one of the fringe players who the Teessiders are willing to consider selling, although Michael Carrick continues to regard the winger as an important squad member and there is no sense of the club forcing him through the exit door.
Luton are understood to have received permission to speak to Jones and his representatives, and they will have to decide whether a move to Kenilworth Road is the right option.
While Boro are pushing for promotion in a play-off position, Luton are struggling in 20th position, just two points above the relegation zone.
