EXCLUSIVE: MK Dons ace agrees Belgian move; Chelsea youngster next

Matthew Sorinola MK Dons goal celeb

Belgian outfit Royale Union Saint-Gilloise have won the race to land English starlet Matthew Sorinola, TEAMtalk can exclusively reveal.

The 20-year-old rejected a new contract at Milton Keynes Dons, as we revealed on Thursday. The wing-back had attracted interest from Premier League and Championship clubs. There was also strong interest in the shape of Scottish giants Rangers and Celtic.

Sorinola, though, has opted to move to the continent and to Belgium. And while he has shunned possible deals in Germany and France, he has opted to join the club better known as Union SG.

Union SG have just celebrated promotion to the top-flight and their owner Tony Bloom – who also owns Brighton – is keen for them to make an impact.

Now they have made a move to land Sorinola, who we understand has put pen-to-paper on a three-year deal with the club.

The move is expected to be confirmed by Union SG later on Friday.

Sorinola will add to a burgeoning British legion at the club. He joins former Portsmouth defender Christian Burgess in their squad. They will also be joined by young Chelsea forward Marcel Lewis, who is also poised to sign a long-term deal in the coming days.

It is also believed at least two Brighton youngsters will join on season-long loans.


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Middlesbrough star told to move on

Meanwhile, in another exclusive, former Arsenal forward Chuba Akpom has been told he has no future at Middlesbrough.

The 25-year-old joined Boro last summer when they paid Greek club PAOK just under £3m for his signature. But Boro chief Neil Warnock has been left somewhat underwhelmed by the former Arsenal man. Five league goals in over 30 appearances followed this season, and now Warnock has made it clear to Akpom that he is not in his plans.

May 13 Transfer Chatter: Man Utd search for new defender, Tottenham fight for Boateng

May 13 Transfer Chatter: Man Utd search for new defender, Tottenham fight for Boateng

Man Utd have devised a three-man shortlist for a new defender while Monaco have joined Tottenham in the chase for Jerome Boateng.

We now understand that Akpom’s representatives have been charged with finding a new club for him. And already a number of teams are looking at a possible deal which is likely to be a loan.

Millwall, QPR, Bristol City and Charlton are amongst the clubs who have been approached about the possibility of taking him. Akpom is still under contract until 2023, with the option of another 12 months.

With Akpom on his way, Warnock is looking at a total overhaul of his striking department with out-of-contract duo Ashley Fletcher and Britt Assombalonga already departed.

Warnock said at the start of April that £15m Assombalonga was unlikely to play for him again. That was after he admitted the player will leave this summer.