Middlesbrough have reportedly made a bid of over £5m for Sunderland midfielder Paddy McNair.
The 23-year-old cost the Black Cats £5.5m from Manchester United in 2016 and scored five goals in 18 matches last term, finishing the campaign strongly after returning from injury.
Sunderland will be playing in League One next season, but new owner Stewart Donald does not want to sell the Northern Ireland international unless the player himself expresses a desire to leave.
According to Sky Sports News, Boro have made the highest offer to date for McNair, whose club turned down two bids from Brighton & Hove Albion, the latter thought to be £3.5m.
The report claims that Sunderland had also turned down an offer of £3.75m for McNair from an unnamed London side, while Wolverhampton Wanderers have also been linked with the player.
Tony Pulis led Boro to the Championship playoffs last season but they lost 1-0 on aggregate to Aston Villa in the semi-finals.
Giuseppe Labellarte
