MIDDLESBROUGH midfielder Marcus Tavernier is attracting interest from a number of Premier League clubs - including Everton, Leicester and Wolves.

The 21-year-old has been in fine form for the Teessiders this season and has started 18 of Boro’s 22 league games this season.

Tavernier signed a new three-and-half-year contract at the Riverside last year which will run until the summer of 2023.

Boro have so brushed off enquiries from top-flight clubs with Leeds United also showing interest.

Hartlepool Mail

OMAR Richards is expected to sign a pre-contract agreement with Bayern Munich that would lead to the Reading defender joining the European champions at the end of the season.

Richards has been one of Reading’s star performers in the Championship this season and the 22-year-old is out of contract in June.

Despite reports he was close to agreeing a new deal at the Madejski Stadium, it is understood representatives of the left-back, who made his solitary appearance for England Under-21s in October 2019, have held talks with Bayern.

He is in line to sign a three-year contract at the Bundesliga club despite reported interest from Everton and West Ham.

The Guardian

NOTTINGHAM Forest have been linked with a move for Olympiacos' £15million-rated midfielder Kostas Fortounis – a player that came close to joining West Ham two seasons ago.

In June 2019, the Hammers were keen to sign the central midfielder and made concrete attempts to lure him to London.

A bid of £7 million was knocked back as was an increased offer of £15m.

Fortounis stayed in Greece but, the following season, ruptured a ligament in his knee and was ruled out for several months. However he is said to be back to his best and is available at a fraction of the cost.

nottinghamforest.news

SPURS boss Jose Mourinho has no intention of recalling Oliver Skipp from his loan spell with Norwich City, with the Portuguese happy with the player’s progress with the Canaries.

The young central midfielder was given an opportunity to hone his talent away from North London, with Norwich winning the race to sign the player back in August of last year in what is the 20-year-old’s first ever temporary switch away from him boyhood club.

Skipp has largely impressed for Daniel Farke’s side, appearing in 23 league games to date as the Canaries have ascended to the top of the Championship standings.

CarrowRoad.net

BRENTFORD are set to test the resolve of Barnsley by tabling an offer for highly-rated Reds midfielder Callum Styles - as they seek to bolster their bid for promotion to the Premier League with a move for the 20-year-old.

The outstanding performances of the young Lancastrian during 2020-21 have placed him on the radar of several clubs, including the Bees.

The 20-year-old was rewarded for his progress when he signed a new long-term deal with the Oakwell club back in the autumn - with the former Bury player contracted until the summer of 2023.

Yorkshire Post

IPSWICH Town are working on a deal to sign Preston North End attacker Josh Harrop on loan.

The 25-year-old has been on fringes of Alex Neil’s side this season and has been restricted to just eight appearances, only one of which has been a start in the Championship.

He’s been used wide when given opportunities at Preston but he is primarily a No.10, a position Ipswich see him playing and have made him a serious target as they look to add creativity to their squad.

Hull City are also said to be interested in Harrop who is a graduate of Manchester United’s youth academy.

eadt.co.uk

BEN Whiteman is closing in on a move to Preston North End after the Championship club had a bid of over £1.5million accepted by Doncaster Rovers for the midfielder.

Preston had an offer worth £1.5million knocked back but it now appears there has been a breakthrough in talks.

He would become North End’s first permanent transfer of the January window after the loan signings of midfielder Jayson Molumby, striker Ched Evans and goalkeeper Daniel Iversen.

footballinsider247.com

MIDDLESBROUGH are tracking Everton wideman Yannick Bolasie, a player they almost signed on loan in October but a deal wasn’t completed in time.

The 31-year-old looks set to leave Goodison Park this month and hasn’t played for the Toffees since 2018.

Bolasie wasn’t even included on the bench during Everton’s 2-1 FA Cup win over Rotherham on Saturday, despite manager Carlo Ancelotti making several changes.

Manager Neil Warnock revealed Bolasie is still an option for Boro, yet the winger has said he’s assessing his long-term future after a frustrating lack of game time.

Hartlepool Mail