HITC Sport understands Middlesbrough are set to finally land Birmingham defender.
Middlesbrough’s move for Birmingham City defender Ryan Shotton is back on, HITC Sport understands from sources close to the club.
Shotton has been the subject of interest from Middlesbrough for a number of weeks now, but Birmingham were reluctant to sanction a move until they had brought in a replacement.
Birmingham are now on the verge of signing Brentford defender Harlee Dean to bolster their defensive options and that will enable them to allow Shotton to move on.
Shotton is expected to travel to Teesside for talks and a medical with the deal expected to be finalised in the next 24 hours.
Blues boss Harry Redknapp has been preparing for Shotton’s departure with the 28-year-old not starting any of their Championship games to date with his only start coming in the League Cup defeat to Bournemouth.
Middlesbrough boss Garry Monk is keen to bolster his defensive options before the close of the transfer window and he sees Shotton’s versatility as making him a key addition to his plans at the Riverside.
Shotton, who started his career at Stoke City, joined Birmingham last summer from Derby after initially impressing on loan at St Andrew’s.
The 28-year-old was virtually an ever-present for Birmingham last season, starting 43 of Blues’ 46 Championship matches and he helped them avoid relegation from the Championship on the final day of last season, but he is happy to move to Middlesbrough.
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