Middlesbrough takes the decision to transfer Sam Greenwood, on loan from Leeds United

MIDDLESBROUGH will not exercise the option to make Sam Greenwood’s loan deal permanent this summer, with the striker returning to Leeds United and Boro pursuing other attacking targets.

Boro accepted a £1.5million option to sign Greenwood when he moved to the Riverside on loan from Leeds last summer.

That deal was between the clubs, and the added layer of complications was always that Greenwood is on the verge of receiving a significant pay rise should Leeds win promotion and return to the Premier League.

But regardless of whether Daniel Farke’s side win the play-offs this month, Boro will opt against signing Greenwood this summer.

Boro have instead lined up other attacking targets as they look to strengthen attacking midfield, a priority this summer with Greenwood leaving and Morgan Rogers and Matt Crooks departing in January.

Finn Azaz joined in the winter window and enjoyed a promising end to the campaign, Isaiah Jones has been a regular this term, Riley McGree and Marcus Forss are expected to be fit again for the start of pre-season and Alex Gilbert staked his claim with two eye-catching displays against Cardiff and Watford.

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Greenwood enjoyed a promising start to life on Teesside and scored four in six games in a hugely impressive spell in October and November, including a strike against his boyhood club Sunderland and a stunning free-kick to beat Leicester City, which was selected as the club’s Goal of the Season last week.

He scored in the win at Swansea in December, but that proved to be his last goal for the club and he made just one assist in the second half of the season.

Despite keeping his place in the squad, the 22-year-old has struggled for form since the start of the year. He didn’t start any of the last four games of the season, an indicator at the time that his stay was coming to an end.

He made an impact off the bench in the final game, setting up Alex Bangura for a crucial second goal to put Boro back in front after Watford equalised.

Greenwood took to social media earlier this week and wrote: “A club full of great people! The staff, teammates and supporters thank you for this season. Full of ups and downs and I loved every minute, time to rest and recover. “

Several Boro team-mates responded and wished Greenwood well, including Hayden Hackney, who said: “Miss you bro.”

Speaking at the club’s end-of-season awards last week, Greenwood said he had “loved” his time on Teesside.