Middlesbrough have allegedly withdrawn their £5million offer for Sunderland’s Paddy McNair, leaving Stoke as the favourites to sign the midfielder.
Middlesbrough have withdrawn their offer for Sunderland midfielder Paddy McNair, as reported by the Northern Echo, having grown frustrated with negotiations.
Boro had agreed a £5m fee for McNair with their North East rivals and had been in discussions with the 23-year-old’s representatives over personal terms.
Yet new Black Cats owner, Stewart Donald, confirmed to the Roker Report podcast that Stoke City had matched the offer from the Riverside and this has caused problems.
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The Teessiders do not want to enter a bidding war to sign McNair and were unhappy that those representing the Northern Ireland international were also in talks with other clubs.
That is why they have therefore decided to drop their interest and focus on signing alternative midfield targets, despite the fact manager Tony Pulis had been keen on the Manchester United academy product.
This presumably leaves the Potters as the favourites to sign McNair, as although Donald also confirmed Brighton and Hove Albion had shown interest, he also said that no team from the Premier League was prepared to match the £5m valuation.
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