According to journalist Nick Mashiter of Press Association Sport, Middlesbrough are interested in Brentford attacking midfielder Romaine Sawyers.
The Brentford playmaker currently has 18 months remaining on his contract, and a host of Championship clubs are reportedly interested in signing the Saint Kitts and Nevis international.
Aston Villa were in pole position to snap up the midfielder in January, but according to Mashiter a deal to Villa Park now seems unlikely, with Middlesbrough now also keen on signing Sawyers.
Middlesbrough are keen on Brentford's Romaine Sawyers. 18 months left on his contract. As mentioned elsewhere last month, #avfc unlikely in January. #boro #brentfordfc
— Nick Mashiter (@nickmashiter) January 8, 2019
Brentford will seemingly want to cash in on the player rather than allowing him to leave for free next summer.
The 27-year old made a name for himself in League One with Walsall having signed from West Brom in 2013, going on to make 133 league appearances and scoring 16 goals in the process for the Saddlers.
In the 2015/16 season, Sawyers was named in the PFA Team of the Year for League One, and finished second in the PFA League One ‘Player of the Year’ behind Bradley Dack, then of Gillingham. His performances rightfully earned him a move up the football ladder to Championship side Brentford in 2016.
Middlesbrough are crying out for a number 10, and with Tony Pulis’ side being the lowest scorers in the top half of the table with 28 goals in their first 26 games of the season, Sawyers could be the spark they need.
There is no report as yet whether Boro would pursue a loan move or a permanent deal as yet, and according to Transfermarkt.com, he is valued in the region of £2.7 million.