MIDDLESBROUGH are continuing to investigate a number of transfers that were completed during Garry Monk’s time in charge at the Riverside Stadium.

A report in the Daily Mail this morning has revealed how the Championship club have accused Monk and his agent, James Featherstone, of deceiving them in the transfer market in an explosive letter sent to the pair.

That letter is believed to have been sent some time ago, with Featherstone quoted in the article as claiming they received the allegations “almost a year ago and following a strong rebuttal of all allegations, have heard nothing further from the club”. Monk and Featherstone still strongly refute any allegations.  

Middlesbrough, though, still have concerns, which it is claimed involve potential conflicts of interest in deals involving Monk and Featherstone during the former’s period in charge at the Riverside, which amounted to less than six months.

The report claims to have seen evidence that highlights the Teesside club’s concerns centred on summer transfer deals involving Cyrus Christie, Ashley Fletcher, Ryan Shotton and Marvin Johnson.

Middlesbrough were unhappy to have discovered Featherstone had been acting for Derby County when they signed Christie for £2.25m in July 2017, when he is understood to have urged the Rams to hold out for a higher fee. He was paid more than £100,000 for his part in the deal.

At the time Middlesbrough accepted the explanation that Featherstone was on a retainer at Derby to shift certain players. Monk and Featherstone still reject claims suggesting any wrongdoing.

Middlesbrough were also concerned that Monk’s company laptop had been wiped after he was dismissed in the December by chairman Steve Gibson.

In the letter sent to lawyers representing Monk and Featherstone it is understood other concerns were raised too.

Boro suggest when Monk signed Ryan Shotton from Birmingham they had been told that Featherstone had been asked to be included in the deal. Shotton started one league game in September 2017 and no more until December, and Monk was sacked on December 23.

Middlesbrough also paid £2.5m for Marvin Johnson and he started six league games under Monk. The club also feel they could have bought Ashley Fletcher from West Ham for less than half the £6.5m paid.

It is claimed in the report that Monk may have known that because of his previous job at Leeds, where the Whites had a deal in place in the January of that year where he could go to Elland Road on loan with an option to buy for £3m.

Rather than sign Fletcher for Leeds, though, Monk signed Mo Barrow from Swansea instead. He was another Featherstone client.

Middlesbrough now argue they suffered a £3.5m loss on Fletcher and there were more details in the Mail report, claiming Monk went against Middlesbrough club policy.

The investigation internally is continuing at Middlesbrough. Featherstone, though, told the Daily Mail on Thursday night: “Allegations were put to Garry and me by (Middlesbrough). We instructed lawyers, cooperated and responded fully.

“We received these allegations almost a year ago and following a strong rebuttal of all allegations, have heard nothing further from the club and there have been no regulatory breaches nor any court action taken.

“The club were always, and still are, fully aware at all times of all transfer dealings. No business was conducted without Middlesbrough's authority. As such we remain perplexed by the foundations of this supposed internal investigation.”

Since Monk – whose dismissal at Birmingham came after he was told they would not allow Featherstone to be involved in so many deals – left Middlesbrough there has been a legal dispute between the club and Monk over his contractual entitlement.

In April 2018 it emerged Middlesbrough were suing Monk's backroom team, as well as Birmingham, after they were employed at St Andrew's. The two parties are believed to have reached a settlement.