Middlesrough reportedly want Celtic winger Scott Sinclair – but a new contract twist emerges

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Middlesbrough are reportedly interested in signing Celtic winger Scott Sinclair this summer.

According to the Scottish Sun, the Championship outfit are preparing a £2million bid for the left-winger. But it’s not just the idea of interest in Sinclair that’s caught the eye here.

The Sun has also stated that the Englishman has another year left to run on his current deal. Celtic, therefore, couldn’t lose Sinclair on a free transfer for another 12 months. He has also apparently become the club’s highest earner.

Sinclair’s future was reportedly in limbo just over one month ago. He was apprently waiting to find out whether Celtic were willing to activate a final year in his contract.

Going by this fresh report, the club have indeed decided to hold onto him. Sinclair’s appearance at the new kit launch last night would also back up those claims.

But that won’t stop any potential Championship interest in the summer of course. Middlesbrough apparently feel that they can nab our man for £2m. Celtic signed Sinclair for around £3.5m nearly three years ago.

Celtic should welcome any interest in Sinclair

Just because the clause in the Sinclair deal has reportedly been activated, it doesn’t mean Celtic won’t be willing to listen to offers for the former Manchester City and Aston Villa man.

Sinclair has been a massive disappointment this season. He still has 17 goals, and nobody can take that away from him. But in the vast majority of his 51 outings for Celtic this season, he’s largely flattered to deceive.

This isn’t the same Player of the Year winning Sinclair of 2016-17. Yes, he’s added goals in the early part of the season, but too often play breaks down with him, and he even looks to have lost a yard of pace from when he first signed. He has just four goals in his last 15 games – nowhere near the level he was previously contributing.

The other argument will be that you can’t just throw away a man who gets you around 20 goals per season. But the truth is that Sinclair has been underperforming for a long time.

Any offer that enters the seven-digit bracket must be listened to in the summer. If the interest is genuine, then signing him up is a good way to get some cash for him.