Senegalese winger Cheikh Sabaly, aged 26, has been absent from training sessions in an effort to push through a transfer to Middlesbrough. Stéphane Le Mignan, the coach of FC Metz, has voiced his frustration regarding the circumstances, emphasizing the difficulties created by current football regulations that permit such situations. He indicated that these issues would persist for clubs worldwide unless the governing bodies amend the rules to close the transfer window before the start of the leagues. Le Mignan characterized the situation as 'deplorable,' yet he recognized it as an unavoidable aspect of the current state of the game. Sabaly's contract with the French club is valid until June 2026, and his market value is estimated by Transfermarkt to be €4.00m.