Middlesbrough are reportedly close to agreeing a deal for Derby County defender Cyrus Christie after missing out on Reading’s Chris Gunter, according to HITC Sport.
Boro triggered Reading right-back Chris Gunter’s £1 million release clause on Monday, and were hoping to get talks underway with the Welsh international yesterday, however the former Spurs and Cardiff City defender snubbed Garry Monk’s approach and signed a new 3-year deal with The Royals on Wednesday morning.
The news will come as a relief to Reading fans, who have seen Danny Williams’ move to Huddersfield confirmed and last year’s Player of the Season Ali Al-Habsi on the brink of a move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal in the space of a couple of days.
However, for Boro fans, it’s more bad news in a disappointing summer so far, barring the appointment of former Swansea and Leeds manager Garry Monk.
Monk has reportedly switched his efforts to Derby right-back Cyrus Christie as an alternative to Gunter, and after talks progressed quickly, the deal is now reportedly nearing completion.
The Rams snapped up Liverpool defender Andre Wisdom earlier in the week after a drawn-out transfer saga and are now willing to let the 24-year-old Republic of Ireland international leave the club on a permanent basis.
Both Reading and QPR were interested in bringing in the former Coventry defender earlier in the window, but their interest has cooled in recent weeks and Boro are now expected to complete the signing of Christie as a replacement for Spain-bound defender Antonio Barragan.