IPSWICH TOWN defender Jonas Knudsen has claimed Middlesbrough were interested in signing him in the summer, and has opened the door to another approach from the Teessiders during the January transfer window.

Boro considered a number of left-back options after Fabio da Silva completed a permanent move to Nantes in the summer, with Denmark international Knudsen one of a number of players to have been discussed.

In the end, the Teessiders opted to sign Sam McQueen on a season-long deal, but the Southampton loanee is unlikely to play again this season after damaging his cruciate ligaments in the Carabao Cup win over Crystal Palace.

With McQueen effectively out of the equation, Boro boss Tony Pulis is expected to seek further left-back cover when the transfer window reopens at the turn of the year.

That could lead him to rekindle his interest in Knudsen, and with his current contract due to expire at the end of the season, the Dane admits he is considering his future.

“There was something concrete in it (Middlesbrough’s interest in the summer),” said Knudsen, who was also the subject of an unsuccessful bid from Stoke City in the close season. “But sometimes things do not come into place as you please.

“That’s the way it is. This summer, I had a year left. Now, I have half a year left. It’s a new situation in January, so we will see.

“Sometimes, you want to try something new and you will be disappointed, but you cannot resist it. I’m out of contract, and I have not heard anything from the club or the owner.

“I will look at my own situation and, for January, the window will open again and I can talk freely with other clubs.

“I’m very open and, if Ipswich wants to talk, then we have to take it from there. But they should start the dialogue. It’s clear I have to look at what opportunities I have because I will also continue to be part of (the) national team.”

Knudsen is an international team-mate of Boro forward Martin Braithwaite, with the pair both having started Denmark’s goalless draw with the Republic of Ireland in the Nations League on Monday.