Middlesbrough look set to pursue the signature of Sunderland’s Paddy McNair this summer, with the former Manchester United man hoping to seal a move away from the Stadium of Light.

Boro were set to sign Everton’s Muhamed Besic this summer on a permanent deal, but their pursuit of the midfielder looks all but dead after McNair appears to have been deemed a ‘more viable option financially’ than the Bosnian.

That is according to the Shields Gazette, who claim that Middlesbrough are in pole position to sign McNair after having a bid of more than £5 million accepted by Sunderland.

The Northern Echo reported last week that Besic is willing to return to Middlesbrough if he finds no future for himself under Everton’s new manager Marco Silva, saying it would take ‘something special for him to ignore Tony Pulis’ and sign for another club.

However, it seems as if Boro prefer McNair and look set to fend off competition from numerous clubs in order to sign him.