He has a player in demand.
Ireland midfielder, Finn Azaz, enjoyed a fruitful campaign for Middlesbrough scoring 12 goals and laying on 11 assists for his teammates. He was also named Championship Player of the Month last November, producing five goals and four assists across six games.
Azaz joined Middlesbrough in 2024, for around €3m, from Premier League side Aston Villa.
The Irish international, who made his senior international debut in March 2024, could find himself again with a Premier League club this summer. Azaz has garnered interest from Bournemouth and newly promoted Leeds for a potential transfer.
The 24-year-old, who has three years left on his contract, had previously also caught the eye of FA Cup winners Crystal Palace earlier this year. The Eagles watched the Irishman play against Bulgaria in March, where he got his first Ireland goal and an assist over the two-legged tie, and was his country’s standout performer.
Azaz is rumoured to be worth £20 million to Michael Carrick’s side. The Boro playmaker may look for a transfer, especially with European football on offer at Palace, in order to boost his international prospects.
Ireland boss, Heimir Hallgrimsson, opted to leave Azaz out of the side for next month’s friendlies due to the Championship season ending around a month before the friendlies.
He was also not in Hallgrimsson’s first squad last September but has featured in five of the six games since then. Azaz has been capped seven times for the Boys in Green, and will hope to play a part in the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign starting in September.
