NATHAN THOMAS has told Middlesbrough he wants to move to Sheffield United.

The Northern Echo understands Boro’s deal for the Hartlepool United winger has been called off at the 11th hour by the winger himself.

Middlesbrough had agreed a fee in the region of £300,000 for the 22-year-old and the breakdown of the transfer has cost National League-bound Hartlepool a substantial chunk of cash.

The Blades are believed to have offered less than that, although both include a series of add-ons.

Teessider Thomas had looked set to join his hometown club team after Middlesbrough had made a late move for his services after learning he was to be sold by Hartlepool.

He would face a bigger battle to force his way into the starting line-up at Middlesbrough, where it was expected he would have been heavily involved with the Under-23s to start with.

Middlesbrough are looking to make a quick return to the Premier League and want to make the necessary adjustments to the squad following relegation.

Sheffield United have kept tabs on Thomas for a while, with manager Chris Wilder keen to have him on board after securing promotion to the Championship.

Both teams will come up against each other in the second tier next season and, despite other interest including Leeds United, it now seems likely Thomas will be playing at Bramall Lane rather than the Riverside.

Thomas had been set for a medical at Rockliffe Park but he has been pencilled in for his checks and tests with Sheffield United.

The former Mansfield forward, who had previously had spells with Darlington, Sunderland and Newcastle when he was younger, has seen his form dip since suffering a serious injury at the end of October.

Dave Jones, sacked by Hartlepool late in the season, was unable to get the best out of him and Thomas will move onto boost the finances at Victoria Park – even if Pools would have received more up front from Middlesbrough.