A report suggested that Middlesbrough were among several clubs interested in Auxerre striker Lassine Sinayoko. Sinayoko is a 26-year-old Mali international who has scored six goals in Ligue 1 this season. The club has scouted Sinayoko and will continue to track him as a potential future signing. However, a move for the player, who scored three goals at AFCON, has been ruled out for this month. His contract at Auxerre is set to expire in June 2027 and his current market value on Transfermarkt is €7.00m. In the summer of 2025, a transfer to Lens for a reported €8 million was close to being completed, while Auxerre's asking price was said to be €10 million at the time.