Middlesbrough's main aim this season is to push for Premier League promotion.

Tony Pulis lost a handful of key players in the summer, including Patrick Bamford and Adama Traore.

The club recruited a number of new faces, but there is one free agent who they have been unable to lure to the Riverside Stadium.

According to a report from TEAMtalk in early September, Boro were battling Aston Villa for the signature of Bakary Sako.

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The attacking player is available on a free transfer after being released by Crystal Palace at the end of last season.

The story has now changed and it is believed that Sako could be on the verge of joining Boro's Championship rivals West Bromwich Albion.

The Express & Star reports that the Baggies have been in talks with the 30-year-old's agents regarding a deal.

Over the last few weeks, the former Wolverhampton Wanderers player has been training with West Brom, and even though Sako remains a free agent, it appears that Boro have missed out.

We asked you if Pulis has suffered a blow in failing to recruit the attacker, and the majority are not convinced.