Middlesbrough Target Bernardo Espinosa Confirms Desire to Move to the Premier League
Bernardo Espinosa has confirmed that he will leave Sporting Gijon and move to the Premier League this summer, as reported by "?Gazette Live.
The Colombian centre back, who is recovering from a serious knee injury but hopes to be fit later this summer, said in a live press conference that he will leave the La Liga club with a 'red and white heart'.
The defender has turned down a new deal that reportedly would have made him the club's highest paid player.
Newly promoted Middlesbrough are the favourites to sign the centre-back, although they face competition from league rivals Bournemouth.
Espinosa met with Boro chiefs at Rockliffe Park last week, the second time that the player has travelled to Teesside within the last month.
When describing why he has decided to leave, Espinosa said: "It's a decision I have made over a long period of time, years in fact. Going to the English Premier League is the only reason, the most important reason for my decision.
"In January I decided to stay and finish the season here, as there was no reason for me to leave. When La Liga finished there was a lot of speculation surrounding my decision. In January I thought I would wait.
"I wanted to wait until my mind, body and soul were ready. Now I feel ready to return to doing what I love.
"At the end of the day, it has been a really hard decision, especially because of the love I have for this club."
If, as expected, Espinosa completes his move to Middlesbrough he would become their second signing of the summer after they completed a move for Ajax winger Viktor Fisher.
The Teeside team are looking to strengthen for their first Premier League season since relegation seven years ago.
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