Middlesbrough are being linked with a move for AJ Auxerre striker Lassine Sinayoko, with the Championship club reportedly monitoring the Mali-France forward’s situation closely.
The 26-year-old centre-forward, currently valued at €7.00m on Transfermarkt, is the subject of growing speculation over a potential switch from Ligue 1 to England’s second tier. While no fee or agreement has been reported and the probability of a move is listed simply as “?”, the absence of publicly available contract expiry details has prompted suggestions that Auxerre could be vulnerable to offers or risk edging towards a free-agency scenario further down the line.
Sinayoko, who wears the number 10 shirt for Auxerre, has risen steadily through the Burgundy club’s ranks since progressing from the U19s to the B team in December 2017, before being promoted to the senior side in July 2019. His market value has followed that trajectory, climbing from €150,000 in 2019 to its current €7.00m, with sharp increases noted across 2024 and 2025 as he established himself as a leading attacker at the club.
Born in Bamako on 8 December 1999 and standing at 1.86m, the right-footed centre-forward offers a physical focal point in attack, a profile that would fit the Championship’s demanding style. Having represented Auxerre in France’s top flight, a move to Middlesbrough would mark his first venture into English football, and his dual Malian and French nationality adds to his appeal in an increasingly global transfer market.
With no formal bid disclosed and uncertainty over the likelihood of a deal, the situation remains firmly in the rumour category, but Middlesbrough’s reported interest underlines Sinayoko’s rising reputation. Should the transfer materialise, it could prove a pivotal step in his career, offering a new platform to enhance his profile and test himself in one of Europe’s most competitive second divisions.
