This post is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk’ series, which features personal comments from FLW Fan Pundits on breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings, and more.
Middlesbrough have been linked with Ghanaian forward Jalal Abdullai, who is presently on loan from Swedish club Elfsborg and playing for Molde in Norway.
Despite losing former head coach Rob Edwards to Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers last month, Middlesbrough acted quickly to bring in former Hammarby head coach Kim Hellberg to take over at The Riverside.
Boro are now second after 20 games, with a five-point lead over Coventry City, down from 10 points a week earlier.
Hellberg has swiftly settled in on Teesside, winning his first three games in charge against Derby County, Hull City, and Charlton Athletic.
There has been little to complain about at the club this season, and with Morgan Whittaker scoring in each of his past five appearances following a rough start since joining from Plymouth Argyle in January 2025, things couldn’t be going any better.
With the January transfer window approaching, Boro have been linked with Elfsborg attacker Jalal Abdullai, who is presently on loan in Norway with Molde, where he has four goals and one assist in 20 league appearances this season.
Abdullai, the self-proclaimed ‘aggressive, fast, and strong’ forward, will have attracted Hellberg’s eye during their time together in Sweden’s top division, and Boro could be planning a move to bring him to Teesside.
Jalal Abdullai has been linked with moves to both Middlesbrough and Preston North End.
Middlesbrough fan commentator Liam from Football League World has expressed his thoughts on the club’s interest in Abdullai and if he would be a suitable fit for them.
Liam remarked, “I can’t say I’m too enthused about a 20-year-old who has nine goals in 24 appearances in that league, to be honest with you.
“At this moment, I believe we need experienced players. Not ancient, but players in their prime, simply to bring us over the finish line.
“I still believe play-offs are what we should anticipate. While there is no doubt that we should spend in the future, a striker is not exactly what we need.
“I believe we already have Sene, Strelec, and everything, so I’d be surprised if we signed another striker.
“But, you know, he would be an interesting choice. I don’t know much about him, but as I previously stated, I’d like to look in different areas, and I’d like it if we went for players with more experience, particularly in the championship, to try to push us over the line and see if we can get automatics.
“But ultimately, the main aim should be securing the play-offs.”
Kim Hellberg will have one eye on the January transfer following his job with Middlesbrough.
Hellberg couldn’t have asked for a better start in England after three weeks in command, winning each of his first three games and appearing powerful in attack.
The Swedish head coach, who was brought in to take over the mantle left by the departing Edwards, appears to have one eye on the January transfer window, when he will most likely be given a big budget as Boro’s promotion push continues.
He will have little to complain about with his team, having reintroduced both Alex Bangura and Alex Gilbert into the squad after lengthy absences, and both immediately performing as if they had never been away.
It remains to be seen whether Hellberg is actually preparing a move for Abdullai, but he will almost surely have one eye on the January transfer market, as Boro’s Premier League ambitions become more clear with each passing game.
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