According to Teesside Live and Sky Sports, Championship side Middlesbrough and Scottish giants Celtic are both interested in striker Tommy Conway.
The 21-year-old has been shunned by manager Liam Manning at Ashton Gate and made to train with the U21s, playing no part in any of City’s pre-season fixtures after rejecting a new contract offer. His current deal runs out next June, with the Bristol outfit looking to cash in on the Scotland international sooner than later.
Conway has been one of the Robins’ top scorers in recent years, bagging 20 Championship goals in 82 appearances in the red and white of Bristol City. Furthermore, the centre-forward was a part of Steve Clarke’s Euro 2024 squad, but failed to register an appearance, with Scotland being knocked out in the group stage.
Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough are looking to capitalise on the situation, with clubs such as Celtic, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Rangers also rumoured to be interested in the Scotsman. Boro finished eighth last season, four points off the play-offs, with the Teesside outfit hoping to push for play-off football once more in this upcoming campaign.
Although no agreement has been reached yet with Boro, the two clubs remain in dialogue regarding a deal for Conway. Carrick is seemingly aiming to enhance Boro’s attacking options this summer, with strikers such as top-scorer Emmanuel Latte Lath, new signing Delano Burgzorg and young striker Josh Coburn currently being on the books at the Riverside Stadium.
Middlesbrough have so far brought Luke Ayling, the aforementioned Delano Burzorg, Aidan Morris and Harley Hunt through the doors and are looking to make it five with Conway.
As for Bristol City, Irish forward Sinclair Armstrong has been brought in from Queens Park Rangers, with Frenchman Fally Maylulu also being added to the frontline following his arrival from Rapid Vienna.
Writer’s View
Questions have been raised about Manning’s treatment of Conway. Forcing your top scorer to train with the Under-21s is certainly a bold move. However, they have wasted no time in the window, bringing in attacking reinforcements, seemingly to replace Conway. Armstrong has already shown City what he can do, with a debut goal against League Two Cheltenham Town in pre-season.
From a Middlesbrough perspective, the opportunity to sign a proven Championship goal-scorer who is still only 21 in the current situation Conway and Bristol City find themselves in is too good of an opportunity to turn down. The sooner the Robins can get Conway off the books the better, and Boro will be completely aware of this fact. Therefore, the Scotsman may be available on the cheap.
From Conway’s point of view, a move north up will potentially be the next step he craves. Carrick’s men this season will be looking to push for promotion. However, interest from back home in Scotland may also appear extremely attractive for the 21-year-old, with the opportunity of playing top-flight football seemingly available there too.
