Michael Carrick explains Middlesbrough’s George Edmundson decision to join Ipswich town

Middlesbrough’s George Edmundson decision to join Ipswich town

Michael Carrick has explained why he wants to make George Edmundson a permanent Middlesbrough

signing this month – with the defender’s loan form and overall career experience the biggest factors.

Boro have decided to try and make Edmundson’s loan move to Boro a permanent one this month,

though parent club Ipswich Town rejected the first bid believed to be £350k,

with a further £350k on top if Boro win promotion.

Talks are continuing between the two clubs to try and come to an agreement.

Boro’s move comes despite Edmundson’s loan deal keeping him at Boro until the summer,

at which point his Ipswich contract expires and he will be available on a free transfer.

Wanting to remove any uncertainty or potential competition though,

as well as free up a potential loan spot in the squad,

Carrick and Jonathan Woodgate have pushed for Boro to make Edmundson’s move a permanent one,

with both delighted with what he’s added to the side – both on and off the pitch.

Carrick explained: “George has done really well. We brought him in on loan.

It was one of those where it fitted all parties. I’ve said it a number of times, it’s not always simple,

there’s a lot of parties involved. Sometimes you go in and you know exactly what you’re getting out,

sometimes it’s a little bit in the balance.

“George has done fantastically well for us. He’s settled in really well. We’re really happy with him.

I think it’s getting the balance right as well, in terms of recruitment and the dynamics of the squad.

That’s really important.

“Spread of age is one thing, types of experience is something else as well. It’s a different thing.

It’s not always an age thing, it depends what you’ve gone through and the types of experiences you’d had.

We’re conscious of that to try and get the balance right moving forward.”

Speaking on Wednesday, Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna also admitted there were talks ongoing.

He said: “I don’t think there’s anything to announce, but I believe that there’s interest there.

I think there are some discussions going on that I haven’t been involved in.

“He’s been having a good season, which is great to see. Middlesbrough are having another good season.

I think there’s some interest on that side. Whether a deal is possible to be done, I’m not sure.”