FULHAM have rejected a transfer request from Middlesbrough target Ross McCormack, and told the Scotland international they want to hold on to him with Moussa Dembele set to leave Craven Cottage.

Boro have made a succession of approaches to Fulham this month in an attempt to sign McCormack, but have been unable to persuade the Cottagers’ hierarchy to agree to a deal.

The Teessiders have raised the possibility of an £8m offer, and McCormack is understood to have indicated a firm desire to move on before the transfer window closes on Monday.

The striker has submitted a transfer request in an attempt to force Fulham’s hand, only to be informed that there is currently no desire to allow him to leave.

Instead, the Fulham hierarchy would prefer to sell Dembele, as the highly-rated youngster is due to become a free agent at the end of the season.

While McCormack recently signed a long-term deal that commits him to Fulham until 2019, Dembele could leave for a relatively low fee in the summer unless an alternative agreement is reached this month.

Fulham would be due a compensation fee for the 19-year-old, but could secure more money if he leaves in the next three days, with Tottenham known to be interested.

Dembele’s representatives have also spoken to Monaco and Wolfsburg about a possible pre-contract agreement, and Fulham are understandably reluctant to lose both of their frontline strikers in the same month.

McCormack and Dembele have scored a combined total of 24 Championship goals this season, and Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic is concerned at the prospect of both leaving ahead of Monday’s deadline.

As a result, McCormack’s transfer request has been rejected, a situation that bears strong parallels to Boro’s unsuccessful pursuit of Jordan Rhodes last summer.

Rhodes remained at Ewood Park even though he submitted a formal transfer request prior to the start of the season, and while Boro officials are expected to make a final attempt to sign McCormack over the weekend, their chances of completing a deal have receded significantly in the last week.

One deal involving a Boro player was completed yesterday, with midfielder Bryn Morris joining Walsall on a two-month loan.

Morris, who started the season on loan at Coventry City, has worked with Walsall boss Sean O’Driscoll during his time in the England youth set-up.

“I’ve worked with Sean and he’s got a really good philosophy,” said Morris. “He said it’s the club’s philosophy to give young players a chance.”

Meanwhile, Diego Fabbrini has revealed he joined Birmingham because of his frustration at dropping out of the first-team picture at the Riverside in the last couple of months.

“The first part of the season, I played with continuity, but the second part I didn’t play with continuity,” said Fabbrini, who completed a £1.5m move to St Andrew’s on Wednesday. “I think this is not good for my career. I have this opportunity (at Birmingham), and I wanted to come.”