Manchester City factor can help Middlesbrough in potential George Edmundson permanent transfer
George Edmundson impressed in his Middlesbrough debut and will be hoping to continue in that vain as he looks to potentially earn a permanent contract at the Riverside next summer.
In a similar situation to Luke Ayling last season, Edmundson has joined Boro on a season-long loan from Ipswich Town, and the 27-year-old is out of contract at the end of the campaign. With that in mind, Boro head of football Kieran Scott has said that they see potential in a longer-term future for Edmundson at the club.
However, that doesn't mean all cards are in Boro's favour completely. As was the case with Ayling in the summer, if Edmundson impresses this season then Boro could face competition to sign him permanently on a free - while there can be no ruling out Ipswich also offering him a new deal, particularly if they fail in their mission to stay in the Premier League this season.
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The other option the Tractor Boys are likely to have in their favour, given they're standard clauses in loan deals now, is a recall during the January transfer window. But there is an element of protection for Boro in that regard from a Manchester City factor.
Described as a reward for his service and role in Ipswich's double-promotion, Edmundson was given a one-minute run out against Man City in the Premier League prior to his move to Boro on deadline day. It means, having now debuted for Michael Carrick's side too, the centre-back has played for two sides this season - the maximum allowed in one campaign as per Fifa rules.
While Ipswich still could, in the event of an injury crisis or loss of a key player, terminate Edmundson's loan early and bring him back to Portman Road, his appearance against Pep Guardiola's side ensures, to Boro's advantage, that Ipswich won't be able to capitalise if he has a positive first half to the season by bringing him back in order to sell him in January to make money rather than lose him for nothing six months later.
If Ipswich were to plan anything like that, the only club they could, in theory, sell him to, would be Boro. Technically speaking, he could sign for someone else, but given he wouldn't be able to play until next season, it feels unlikely any club would take up that option when they could just wait to try and sign him for nothing six months later.
As for Boro, if Ipswich did try the recall-to-sell option, they'd be in a strong position because they'll be paying a percentage of his wage which Ipswich will want to continue. They'll know if Boro refuse to take up the permanent deal in the January window, they'll be left paying Edmundson's wage for six months when they'll struggle to even find space in the 25-man registered squad for him to actually play.
With that in mind, the Man City factor really seems to work in Boro's favour as they hope to see Edmundson establish himself as a shrewd loan capture with a longer-term future at the club.