Middlesbrough fans will hate what Finn Azaz just said about his future as Premier League clubs circle

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Premier League clubs have started to look at what it will take to bring Finn Azaz to their club this transfer window, following his impressive season at Middlesbrough this season.

As has become common in recent months, more and more of Boro’s best players are being linked with moves elsewhere.

Emmanuel Latte Lath left Middlesbrough earlier this year to link up with Atlanta United in the MLS.

Fellow star Rav van den Berg could leave the club as teams look at bringing the defender into their sides as the Teessiders failed to make the play-offs last year.

The sacking of Michael Carrick and replacing him with Rob Edwards makes the short-term future of Middlesbrough uncertain.

This may see them needing to be wary of interest in the Republic of Ireland international.

• READ MORE: Championship expert questions Rob Edwards’ appointment by Middlesbrough as ‘style of play’ fear issued

Finn Azaz wants ‘to be playing at the highest level’ amid Premier League interest

Azaz spoke to the Irish Independent while on holiday following international duty with the Republic of Ireland, where the nation faced Senegal and Luxembourg.

The creative midfielder addressed his future with the club as he looks to achieve his dream of playing in the World Cup with Ireland.

He said: “I’m playing at a high level now. The Championship is a really competitive league.

“I’m fully aware that I have those ambitions. I’m looking at the World Cup next summer, and I want to be playing at the highest level to make myself as competitive as possible for the qualifiers.”

While he is happy to play his football with Middlesbrough and believes it is a high level as they came close to the Championship play-offs, he wants to play at the highest level with the Premier League pair of Bournemouth and Leeds United interested.

Finn Azaz’s journey back to the Premier League

Azaz has had to find another pathway to the Premier League after failing to break through at Aston Villa in his three seasons at the club.

During those three seasons the club loaned him out to Newport County at League Two level before Plymouth Argyle loaned him for a season and a half as they went from League One to the Championship.

Middlesbrough would sign Azaz from Villa for an undisclosed fee, taking a risk on the Irish international; however, he has performed for the club since joining in January of 2024, making 66 appearances and scoring 16 goals.

Now, Azaz is a Republic of Ireland international, making seven appearances since joining the Teessiders, making his debut in 2024.