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According to Claret & Hugh, Middlesbrough boss Tony Pulis has no intention of keeping on-loan West Ham United forward Jordan Hugill beyond the end of the current season.

What's the word, then?

It was more than just a little bit of a surprise when West Ham signed Hugill from Preston North End in the latter stages of the 2018 January transfer window.

The Hammers paid £10m to land the forward, who would go on to make just three Premier League appearances in the second half of last season.

Hugill joined Boro on loan for the 2018-19 campaign, but has found it tough to contribute, managing just six goals in 30 Championship appearances.

According to Claret & Hugh, Boro are not interested in a permanent deal for the striker, something his parent club were hoping for, meaning that he will head back to London this summer.

The 26-year-old has a contract at West Ham until June 2022, but it seems likely that he will be sold on in this summer's transfer window.

Could West Ham yet decide to keep him?

No, not if they are to move forward. Some will argue that Hugill is decent back-up, but not for a team of West Ham's ilk.

As it stands, Hugill has played just 22 minutes of first-team football for West Ham, despite being contracted to the club for about 14 months.

The Englishman will be remembered as one of the club's worst signings in the Premier League era - particularly in terms of actual ability, contribution to the first team and how quickly they're already looking to offload him, which in itself is now proving problematic.

A record of 30 goals in 114 games for Preston is not exactly terrific, whilst as mentioned, the striker has struggled to show consistency for Boro this term.

Hugill might be heading back to West Ham this summer, but he will surely be sold to the highest bidder ahead of the new campaign.