MIDDLESBROUGH are adamant Dael Fry will not be joining Burnley in the final two weeks of the transfer window, and have cooled their interest in a possible loan deal for Augsburg defender Reece Oxford.

The Teessiders have been one of the busiest clubs in the Championship this month, bringing in Patrick Roberts and Lukas Nmecha on loan deals from Manchester City, selling Darren Randolph to West Ham United and signing Dejan Stojanovic from Swiss club St Gallen.

However, their transfer activity is unlikely to be finished yet, with Jonathan Woodgate keen to bring in another defender and possibly one more wide player before the window closes on January 31.

The Boro head coach is also anticipating outside interest in a number of his own players, but is adamant Fry will not be leaving Teesside despite ongoing interest from Burnley.

Having had a series of bids rejected in the summer, Burnley have reignited their interest in Fry and are understood to be willing to pay around £10m to land the centre-half this month.

However, with Daniel Ayala and Ryan Shotton still recovering from long-term injuries and both Jonny Howson and Paddy McNair having to fill in at centre-half, Woodgate is determined to hold on to Fry even if Burnley officials table a formal offer.

Significantly, Fry is also reluctant to leave Middlesbrough at such an early stage of his career as he feels he is benefiting from playing a senior role at the heart of the Teessiders’ backline.

Burnley boss Sean Dyche could be willing to include a loan deal for Ben Gibson as part of a package involving Fry, but while Boro would be interested in re-signing their former defender, they would want that to be a stand-alone deal rather than part of an arrangement involving Fry.

With Gibson having failed to start a single Premier League game for Burnley this season, the Boro hierarchy are willing to discuss a loan deal that would see the 27-year-old attempt to kick-start his career with a return to his hometown team.

However, Watford are also understood to be interested in securing Gibson’s services, and it remains to be seen whether the Teessider is willing to drop back down to the Championship.

Gibson’s family links mean he has been a regular visitor to Middlesbrough in the last few months, but having moved to Burnley in 2018, he will be understandably keen to remain in the top-flight.

Dyche has been reluctant to select Gibson despite having sanctioned his £15m signing, but the Clarets manager has not held any formal discussions about a possible deal this month.

“No, not that I know of,” said Dyche, when asked whether there had been any offers for Gibson. “First of all, it is football thinking and we want a squad that can cover every position. Of course, there will be a business angle as well, and if the business angle is correct for the football club then we make decisions. If not, then there is no decision to make.”

Boro have considered a move for Oxford, and senior officials are understood to have discussed the 21-year-old’s position with his current employers at German side, Augsburg.

Oxford has struggled to establish himself in the Bundesliga this season and is expected to return to England for the final four months of the campaign.

Luton Town have also discussed a season-long loan deal, and at this stage, Boro are not expected to follow up their initial interest in the former West Ham defender.

Similarly, Boro are not understood to have an interest in Lee Gregory despite reports linking them with a possible move for the Stoke City striker.

Having signed Nmecha, and with Rudy Gestede having returned to full fitness, Boro’s need for a new striker has diminished significantly in the last couple of weeks.

Britt Assombalonga’s return would be another major boost, and while the striker will not be involved in this evening’s home game with Birmingham, he should be available for the home game with Blackburn Rovers on February 1.

Middlesbrough (probable, 3-4-2-1): Pears; Howson, McNair, Fry; Spence, Saville, Wing, Coulson; Roberts, Tavernier; Fletcher.