Watford reportedly want to sign Boro winger Marcus Tavernier and so do Championship newcomers Barnsley.
Middlesbrough have turned down approaches from Watford and Barnsley for highly-rated wide man Marcus Tavernier, according to TEAMtalk.
With just a few weeks until the new Championship season kicks off, Boro still have a lot of work to do in the transfer market.
The team now managed by Jonathan Woodgate have reduced their hefty wage bill by getting rid of veteran duo Stewart Downing and John Obi Mikel while selling Aden Flint to Cardiff City. But Tavernier is one player they really don’t want to let go.
The Leeds-born 20-year-old has not quite built on those excellent performances which saw him catch the eye of some of England’s biggest clubs two years ago but there is still plenty of interest in a youngster who has played for England at U20 level.
Premier League outfit Watford made an enquiry in an attempt to find out Tavernier’s price-tag while Championship newcomers Barnsley have offered £1.5 million. Boro, however, have no interest in selling and are hoping to extend a contract that has just two years left to run.
If Woodgate is to make a success of his first year in management, he will be looking to take full advantage of Middlesbrough’s impressive array of young talent with Tavernier joining Dael Fry and Lewis Wing in the first-team ranks.
A skilful and versatile player most at comfortable on the left-hand flank, Tavernier could provide some much needed cutting edge in a Boro attack which produced just 49 goals in the Championship last season.
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