{"id":565146,"date":"2020-09-08T11:52:01","date_gmt":"2020-09-08T15:52:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=565146"},"modified":"2020-09-08T11:52:01","modified_gmt":"2020-09-08T15:52:01","slug":"marcus-bettinelli-close-to-loan-move-with-middlesbrough","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/09\/08\/marcus-bettinelli-close-to-loan-move-with-middlesbrough\/","title":{"rendered":"REPORT: Marcus Bettinelli Close to Middlesbrough Loan Move"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fulham<\/a> goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli<\/a> is set to join Middlesbrough\u00a0<\/a><\/span>on loan.<\/span><\/p>\n

The keeper is taking a medical today, according to Keith Downie of<\/a>\u00a0Sky Sports<\/a>, ahead of finalising a season-long loan move.<\/span><\/p>\n

The capture of Bettinelli, if and when it’s concluded, will ease Neil Warnock<\/a>‘s goalkeeper concerns. At the start of the summer, the Middlesbrough\u00a0<\/span>boss identified the need for more experience between the posts and drew up a shortlist of targets.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Teessiders are reportedly ready to pay a six-figure loan charge to guarantee the assets of the 28-year-old for the whole season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A graduate of Fulham’s academy system. Bettinelli spent several years with the Cottagers, making a total of 120 senior appearances. <\/span>He made 14 appearances last season as Scott Parker<\/a>‘s side secured promotion. However, he was found surplus to requirements in South-West London.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bettinelli Nearing Middlesbrough Loan<\/h2>\n

Goalkeeper Situation<\/h3>\n

His introduction would call into question the fate of Boro’s two current senior goalkeepers, resulting in at least one of Aynsley Pears and Dejan Stojanovic likely to move on just before the window shuts.<\/span><\/p>\n

With Stojanovic starting the Carabao Cup win<\/a> over Shrewsbury Town last weekend,\u00a0Pears is deemed to be the most likely to depart,<\/a>\u00a0Who was a product of the academy and is in the final year of his deal with Boro.<\/span><\/p>\n

Middlesbrough Struggling in Transfer Window.<\/h3>\n

While new boss Neil Warnock looks to build and push Middlesbrough forward, he seems to have struggled in completing transfers on the North East. Boro have made one acquisition in centre back Grant Hall for free<\/a>. Yet have seen 9 players leave the door at Rockcliff Park, including club servants Adam Clayton<\/a>, and George Friend.<\/a><\/p>\n

Both parties will be happy with the agreement should it be completed. Middlesbrough will be securing the services of an experienced keeper while Fulham will lower their big wage bill.<\/p>\n

Main Photo
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>