Jeremy Sarmiento has emerged as a potential January loan target for Middlesbrough, with head coach Kim Hellberg eager to bolster his attacking options as the club pushes for promotion from the Championship.
Despite a recent wobble in form, Boro remain firmly in the hunt near the top of the table, continuing to apply pressure on Coventry City in the race for automatic promotion. Few would have predicted Middlesbrough’s rise at the start of the season, but strong work under Rob Edwards — before his move to Wolves — laid the foundations for their current challenge, which Hellberg has since taken on.
The Swedish coach made a perfect start at the Riverside, winning his first four matches in charge. However, that momentum stalled as Boro endured a four-game spell without a goal, collecting just one point despite firing off an astonishing 93 shots. Their struggles in front of goal highlighted a clear issue: chance creation hasn’t been the problem, finishing has.
That dry run ended emphatically with a 4-0 win over Southampton, but with the January window now open, Hellberg is keen to add further firepower. One name under consideration is Brighton winger Jeremy Sarmiento, who is currently on loan at Serie A side Cremonese.
The Ecuadorian international has struggled for minutes in Italy, playing just 137 league minutes so far this season. With his loan potentially set to be cut short, Middlesbrough could offer Sarmiento the regular football he needs. He currently shares a squad with former Boro midfielder Martín Payero and Leicester City icon Jamie Vardy, but opportunities have been limited.
Sarmiento would represent a “big upgrade” on current options
Supporters have weighed in on the potential move, with many believing Sarmiento would significantly improve Boro’s attacking unit.
One fan, Liam, suggested the winger would be a clear upgrade on current left-sided options, particularly compared to Burgzorg. He pointed to Sarmiento’s pressing ability and defensive work-rate, traits that align closely with Hellberg’s desire to win the ball high up the pitch. Comparisons were also drawn with Riley McGree, highlighting Sarmiento’s link-up play and intelligence between the lines.
Concerns over his lack of recent game time have been downplayed, with the view that regular training should ensure he’s ready to contribute immediately. Importantly, Sarmiento also brings Championship experience, having been part of Ipswich Town’s promotion-winning side. While he wasn’t always a starter, his familiarity with the demands of the league could prove valuable during a promotion run-in.
A proven promotion winner for Middlesbrough
Sarmiento has already achieved promotion from the Championship twice, adding experience and composure to a Middlesbrough side that has quality but inconsistent output in forward areas.
Currently, Morgan Whittaker is the only attacker producing consistent numbers. After failing to score in his first nine months at the club, the winger found form late in 2025 and now sits on ten league goals — just one shy of the division’s top scorer.
Adding a player like Sarmiento could ease the burden on Whittaker and give Boro the extra edge they need to sustain their promotion push in the second half of the season.
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