Wigan Athletic have seen a £450k bid for Tyler Blackett rejected by Championship strugglers Reading with Boro and Stoke City also linked.
With Reading struggling at the wrong end of the Championship table, the last thing Jose Gomes needs is to lose Tyler Blackett this month.
According to The Mail, Middlesbrough, Stoke City and Wigan Athletic are all interested in signing the 24-year-old centre-back in the January transfer window.
Blackett has been one of the few plus points in a dreadful season for The Royals, who hired Portuguese coach Gomes recently after Paul Clement’s disappointing reign came to an end.
And The Mail reports that Middlesbrough have identified the former Manchester United defender, who has one cap for England’s U21s, as a solid and versatile option for a side aiming to secure a place in the play-offs in recent months.
Stoke are also understood to be interested but it remains to be seen whether the sacking of manager Gary Rowett on Tuesday puts The Potters out of the race.
As it stands, Wigan appear to have made the greatest efforts to sign Blackett this month though their opening bid of £450,000 has been rejected by Reading.
Blackett would be a replacement for Dan Burn, who has returned to Brighton after a loan spell back at the DW Stadium.
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