A NUMBER of French clubs are keeping an eye on Martin Braithwaite’s situation at Middlesbrough, with Bordeaux leading the chase for his signature before the end of the transfer window.

Despite signing a four-year deal last summer, Braithwaite has not had the impact he would have liked at the Riverside Stadium since leaving Toulouse in a £9m deal.

His preference is to play as a central striker but he has more often than not been asked to play wide or in the hole behind the front-man.

Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis is still looking to move a number of players on before next Wednesday’s transfer deadline and Braithwaite has now emerged as a contender.

That would have seemed unlikely a few weeks ago, but with Bordeaux - among others - known to be looking at ways of taking him back across the English Channel the prospects have grown.

Middlesbrough are unlikely to allow the Denmark international, who has his eyes on a World Cup appearance this summer, to leave on loan unless it is with a guarantee of money.

Bordeaux, also keen on West Ham’s Diafra Sakho, want the 26-year-old for the rest of the season with an option to buy him at the end of that for around the £7m mark.

Braithwaite was an unused substitute at Queens Park Rangers last weekend when Patrick Bamford was preferred to him.

Before that he had scored six goals in 19 appearances, and had seen an encouraging start to life at Middlesbrough in August affected by a hamstring injury. He has been fit since the end of September and has impressed fans with his technique and work-rate.

Despite his versatility he has been unable to hold down his place as a leading striker, with Pulis preferring to play Rudy Gestede and Britt Assombalonga there since his appointment.

Pulis has made no secret of his desire to reduce the size of his squad and he does have more forwards at his disposal than he would like.

Ashley Fletcher and Bamford had been the likeliest contenders to leave before the growing interest from France in Braithwaite.

Fletcher has only played 11 minutes of football since Garry Monk left before Christmas and there are a number of Championship clubs keen on signing him on loan.

Sunderland remain interested in the £6.5m signing from West Ham although it is understood they have been targeting other options first before making a serious offer for his services. Barnsley and Leeds are also keen.

Midfielder Adam Clayton is still the subject of strong interest from former Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka at Nottingham Forest too.

Pulis has already admitted that he is not looking to spend the cash during this window “out of respect” for what chairman Steve Gibson spent last summer.

Nevertheless if he can move players out then he will be keen to strike a couple of loans.

It seems unlikely that the links with Bradford striker Charlie Wyke will not come to anything. The Boro academy graduate is attracting interest from the Championship and Bantams boss Stuart McCall has given him a £5m price-tag.

Middlesbrough have been credited with an interest in the media but no deal is thought to be on the cards for him this month. The 25-year-old left Middlesbrough three years ago when he joined Carlisle.