GARRY MONK has been told Middlesbrough stand a greater chance of landing Liverpool winger Sheyi Ojo than North-East neighbours Newcastle United.

There were suggestions over the weekend that Boro chiefs have been in contact with their Liverpool counterparts to discuss the possibility of landing the 20-year-old.

Now The Northern Echo understands Liverpool are more than happy for him to join Middlesbrough, where they feel he could play more first team football in a Championship promotion push than with Newcastle.

Now Middlesbrough are weighing up whether to pay the sort of loan fee which Newcastle have been reluctant to match, while there was also a feeling that he may spend more time on the bench at St James’ Park.

Monk is looking to bring in more new faces and adding further attacking talent is a priority having already informed both Stewart Downing and Gaston Ramirez that they can leave before the start of the season.

Downing and Ramirez are with the squad in Portugal where Monk will lead his first match since taking charge against Oxford United tonight in a pre-season friendly. The chances of either still being around come August will depend on who comes in and what is offered to them.

Ojo is exactly the sort of young and exciting winger Monk is looking to add to his squad, and Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez remains keen to have him on board in the Premier League too.

Ojo has previously spent time on loan at Wigan and Wolves but has struggled to force his way into the Liverpool first team despite being highly-rated by Jurgen Klopp. He has represented England at every age group.

He was part of the England Under-20s squad that won the World Cup earlier this summer along with Middlesbrough duo Harry Chapman and Dael Fry, who he would join up again with on Teesside.

Monk is waiting to hear of further progress on the transfer front this week to follow on from the acquisitions of Jonny Howson and Cyrus Christie.

Leeds-born Howson was keen to move back north from Norwich City and he has explained how the prospect of a promotion charge along was not the only reason why he completed his £5m move.

He said: “I’m excited. We (Norwich and Howson) came to an agreement at the end of last season that if something came in I was allowed to go. It came up in pre-season but Norwich believed they could have sold someone else, they were going through a transition period, but it’s all sorted and that’s all in the past now.

“There were a fair few reasons I wanted to come. I was aware of what the manager did last season, did a terrific job, I was aware of the facilities that were at Middlesbrough, the size of the club and I believe this squad has great potential.

“Looking around we have a massive chance of bouncing straight back. Everyone wants this at this football club. It’s a great opportunity.”

Howson did not get chance to meet Bernardo Espinosa. The centre-back has completed a £3m move to Girona and he was paraded in front of the Spanish club’s fans yesterday.

He said: "I am very happy and excited about this project and I want to repay the club for the confidence they have shown in me.

"We have a very good opportunity to enjoy many years together in the top division.

"I want to live up to expectations. I have been through good moments and bad in my career but this is part of being a professional. I will use these experiences to help contribute.”