Sources: £200k Leeds United player on the verge of joining Middlesbrough

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• EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey

Middlesbrough are closing in on the signing Leeds United defender Luke Ayling just hours after beating Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.

HITC Football understands Middlesbrough are hoping to complete the loan signing of Leeds United veteran Luke Ayling on Wednesday.

The deal will initially be until end of the season, when Ayling’s current contract at Leeds expires.

Boro are desperate for defensive cover and Ayling will bolster Michael Carrick’s options at right back for the second half of the season.

Tommy Smith and Darragh Lenihan are both out for the season whilst Anfernee Dijksteel has been nursing an injury of late.

Boro have gone into the market for depth and are now set to land an experienced performer in Leeds ace Ayling.

Luke Ayling on the verge of emotional Leeds United exit

Ayling has been in and out of the Leeds side this season, staring just eight Championship games and making a further six substitute appearances.

Daniel Farke has decided to go in a different direction and that means Ayling is on the move in search of first-team action.

The 32-year-old will leave Elland Road with a heavy heart though, having become part of the furniture at Leeds over the last eight years.

Ayling joined Leeds in the summer of 2016, leaving Bristol City in a deal worth around £200,000.

That has proven to be incredible value for money with Ayling racking up more than 250 league appearances for Leeds.

Ayling was part of the Leeds side who won promotion under Marcelo Bielsa in 2020 and remained a Premier League regular in Leeds’ three seasons back in the top flight.

Now struggling for game time, Ayling will call time on his Leeds career and make an emotional exit to Championship rivals Boro.

Primarily utilised as a right back, Ayling can also play at centre back and that versatility should appeal to Boro boss Carrick.

Boro are only four points off the play-offs and having beaten Chelsea in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, excitement is building around the Riverside Stadium.

An experienced signing like Ayling may not set pulses racing but he knows all about challenging at the top end of the Championship, meaning he could prove to be a valuable addition for Carrick, at least until the end of the season.