GASTON RAMIREZ came in from the cold as Middlesbrough drew their opening pre-season game with Oxford United, but French club Nantes have become the first team to register a formal interest in the winger.

Ramirez is widely expected to leave Boro this summer, having fallen out of favour at the end of last term when he followed up a failed transfer request with a petulant dismissal at Bournemouth.

Boro are willing to listen to offers for his services, but with former suitors Leicester City having moved on to alternative targets, Nantes have become the first club to inquire about Ramirez’s asking price.

The Ligue 1 side are interested in recruiting Ramirez, who still has another two years of his Boro contract to run, but could struggle to match the Uruguayan’s wages, let alone come up with a transfer fee that would be deemed acceptable at the Riverside.

At the start of the summer, there was a chance Ramirez could be forced to train with Boro’s development squad, but his attitude has impressed Garry Monk and he has been working with the rest of the senior squad.

He started this evening's friendly with Oxford in the Algarve, and played for the opening 45 minutes as the Teessiders played out a goalless draw.

Ramirez was joined in the starting line-up by George Friend, who is interesting Watford, and Adama Traore, who has been the subject of attention from a number of Premier League clubs including Newcastle United. There was also a first appearance for recent signing Cyrus Christie.

Oxford goalkeeper Simon Eastwood saved from Ramirez before the interval, and Boro felt they should have had a penalty three minutes before the break when the Uruguayan midfielder was pulled back in the area after a strong run from Traore.

Monk changed all 11 players at the interval, with the likes of Ben Gibson, Grant Leadbitter and Stewart Downing coming onto the field, along with Jonny Howson, who made his first appearance since joining Boro from Norwich city.

Eastwood made a good save at the start of the second half to deny Dael Fry, before Cristhian Stuani failed to find the target when well placed in the area.

Josh Ruffles wasted a promising position for Oxford, and Dimi Konstantopoulos was forced to make a decent save to deny Joe Rothwell as the League One side improved after the break.

“It’s (the training camp) been very good so far,” said Monk. “The lads are taking things on board and it’s not been easy for them. There’s still a long way to go, but that’s all part of the process. They’ve shown a great response, and every day is a step forward.”

Middlesbrough (first half): Ripley, Christie, Ayala, Mahmutovic, Friend, Clayton, Forshaw, Tavernier, Traore, Ramirez, Gestede.

Middlesbrough (second half): Konstantopoulos, Baptiste, Fry, Gibson, Fabio, Leadbitter, Howson, Soisalo, Downing, Stuani (Pattison 80), Bamford.