Coventry City and Middlesbrough-linked forward Lassine Sinayoko has spoken publicly about his situation at Auxerre and his plans going forward.
The 26-year-old has attracted interest from the two Championship clubs during the January window, as well as Premier League side Wolves, although Middlesbrough are understood to view him more as a longer-term option rather than an immediate target.
Sinayoko’s form in Ligue 1 over the past couple of seasons has put him on the radar, with the Mali international continuing to impress this campaign. He has registered six goals and two assists for Auxerre so far, as the club fights to avoid relegation from the French top flight.
His reputation has also grown on the international stage after scoring three times at the Africa Cup of Nations, helping Mali reach the quarter-finals before their exit to eventual winners Senegal.
Explaining his decision to extend his contract with Auxerre, Sinayoko said he felt it was important not to leave the club under difficult circumstances.
While he did not rule out a future move away, he stressed that he wanted to depart on good terms and felt now was not the right time to push for an exit given Auxerre’s league position.
A product of Auxerre’s academy, Sinayoko has become a key figure in the first-team squad. He played a major role in the club’s promotion from Ligue 2 last season, contributing eight goals and four assists, and has now made 85 Ligue 1 appearances. His new deal keeps him at the club until June 2027.
At present, any move to Coventry or Middlesbrough appears unlikely, with Auxerre’s relegation battle making a January departure difficult. As a result, both Championship sides may have to wait until the summer to pursue their interest.
Should either club be able to offer Premier League football by then, it could strengthen their case, particularly given Sinayoko’s consistent performances in France and his recent impact at AFCON.
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