MIDDLESBROUGH have not held talks with Nottingham Forest over Patrick Bamford, and have no interest in selling the striker this summer.

Forest boss Aitor Karanka is overseeing a major overhaul of his squad at the City Ground, and has been heavily linked with a move for Bamford, who played under him at the Riverside.

It has been suggested in a number of quarters that Boro have told Forest officials they can have Bamford for £16m, but senior sources at the club insist no such discussions have taken place.

Tony Pulis regards Bamford as an important part of his plans for next season, and there is no desire to sell the 24-year-old, who moved to Teesside on a permanent basis in January 2017.

Forest have not made a formal offer for the striker, and Boro will not be encouraging them to do so in the remainder of the transfer window.

Forest have also been linked with a possible move for Adam Clayton this summer, but the only formal contact between officials at the City Ground and their counterparts on Teesside relates to Fabio da Silva.

Forest lodged a £300,000 offer for the Brazilian last month, but it was immediately rejected by Boro chief executive Neil Bausor.

Fabio, a full Brazil international with extensive Premier League and Championship experience, signed a 12-month contract extension with Boro at the end of last season.

Boro, who completed the sale of Antonio Barragan to Real Betis over the weekend after the Spanish club triggered a clause in the full-back’s loan deal, have been credited with an interest in their former midfielder, James Morrison, but the Scotland international does not feature on Pulis’ wanted list.

Meanwhile, Boro will complete their pre-season preparations with a home friendly against North-East rivals Sunderland on Friday, July 27 (7.30pm).

Tickets for the home sections of the Riverside will be available from 9.30am on Monday, July 9 priced £10 for adults and £5 for over-65s and under-18s. Seats will initially be available in the South Stand Upper, West Stand Upper and Lower sections. Tickets for the away end are only available to Sunderland season-card holders.