Aitor Karanka insists he knows nothing about reported interest in Jordan Rhodes from other clubs.
The Middlesbrough striker has been linked with a move to both Sheffield Wednesday and Aston Villa over the past few days but that’s the first the Boro boss has heard about a January departure.
However, Karanka did say he wouldn’t stand in the way of any unhappy player in his squad who wanted to leave.
“No, I don’t know anything (about it),” he said, when asked about the speculation linking Rhodes with a transfer window move at Friday’s pre-match press conference.
Boro signed Rhodes on the final day of the winter transfer window earlier this year, paying Blackburn Rovers a reported £8m fee for his services.
After scoring several crucial goals in the Championship run in last season, the 26-year-old has struggled to break into the first team during the current campaign, starting just one match.
That has led to speculation that Rhodes is unhappy and unsettled at Middlesbrough, but that’s based on nothing more than guesswork, it would seem.
Rhodes has never indicated that he wants to leave while Karanka has said on the record he’d be surprised if the player wasn’t frustrated at a lack of first team action.
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On potential January transfer business, the Boro boss said: “We are in December, we have a really important few games coming up and the recruitment department are (looking after) everything.
“Sometimes they tell me different things, but at the moment we’re calm.”
On Rhodes, Karanka added: “For me, he’s a player in this squad and once again, if he wants to leave, if we receive the right offer and a club wants to buy him, and our club are happy with the deal, fine.
“But if he wants to stay here, he’s part of the squad and I’m happy. The market will see and always, once again, three parts have to be involved (for something to happen).”
Another player subject to speculation in recent days has been Bernardo Espinosa.
There have been suggestions in the Spanish press that the Colombian defender would be moving back to Spain in January due to a lack of first team action.
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Espinosa moved to Boro from La Liga club Sporting Gijon in the summer but has yet to play a competitive game other than one Checkatrade Trophy appearance at Scunthorpe.
But, again, Karanka was happy to set the record straight.
“Bernardo is really pleased (to be) here,” he said. “He has been part of the squad in the last few games and he’s improving.
“He knew before coming here that it would be difficult for him but he wanted to come to this big challenge, and I’ve always said he’s an amazing lad, a really good professional and a really good player.”