According to journalist Alan Nixon, Middlesbrough are ‘very interested’ in 18-year old Southend United midfielder Dru Yearwood.
Yearwood broke into the side last season, and has become a huge part of their team over the past two years. Having made his debut aged 17, he has been in and around the first team ever since, and has expectantly attracted attention from teams in the divisions above.
One of those sides is Middlesbrough, and according to Nixon, Premier League side Crystal Palace are also monitoring the teenager.
However, Middlesbrough already have several options in the centre of the park, with Adam Clayton, Jonny Howson, Muhamed Besic, George Saville, Lewis Wing, Paddy McNair and Grant Leadbitter all vying for a place in the starting eleven.
Yearwood would certainly be one for the future if he was to sign for Middlesbrough, and admittedly wouldn’t get into the first team straight away. It could also be an option for manager Tony Pulis to loan out the 18-year old back to Southend to aid his development further.
He initially impressed then-manager Phil Brown in pre-season at the start of the 2017/18 campaign, and signed a four-year professional contract with the club soon after. He was given his debut for Southend just a month into the season in the EFL cup, and his League debut came that September against Rochdale.
Southend currently sit in 15th position in League One, however, they are just eight points of a playoff position. Middlesbrough on the other hand, occupy second spot after their away win at Brentford on Saturday evening.
