HEERENVEEN’s technical director has confirmed winger Mitchell van Bergen has been offered a straight choice between a move to Middlesbrough or a switch to French side Stade de Reims.

Boro officials agreed a fee for the 21-year-old earlier this week, and initiated personal discussions with van Bergen and his representatives.

However, before they were able to tie up a transfer, Stade de Reims lodged their own offer with the Heerenveen hierarchy, matching Boro’s bid.

Reims were also given permission to speak to van Bergen, and the Dutchman has now been instructed to decide where he wants to move ahead of next Tuesday’s transfer deadline.

The financial elements of the two proposed deals are understood to be similar, so van Bergen will have to choose between a move to the Championship with Boro or a transfer to the French top tier with Reims.

Sources in the Netherlands suggest Reims are currently the front-runners, although it is understood van Bergen is still to make a definitive decision on his future.

“That club (Reims) only came into the picture after we agreed with Middlesbrough,” said Heerenveen technical director Ferry de Haan, in an interview with Dutch newspaper the Leeuwarder Courant.

“Of course, it often happens that several clubs are interested in a player. That is now the case with Mitchell.

“The terms of the transfer remain almost the same for us – now it’s up to the player himself.”