HULL CITY are prepared to splash the cash in contract talks with Jacob Greaves in order to ensure the defender does not join Middlesbrough this month.

With Chris Wilder determined to sign a naturally left-footed centre-half this month, Boro have made a number of attempts to prise Greaves from the KCOM Stadium in the last few weeks.

The Teessiders tabled a formal offer which would potentially have been worth around £5m, but the Tigers turned it down and doubled down on their attempts to keep Greaves on Humberside.

The 21-year-old, who has started both of Hull’s league games so far this season, has entered the final year of his current contract.

Talks over a new deal are under way though, with Tigers boss Shota Arveladze confident his employers will do whatever it takes to tie Greaves down to a new deal and prevent him from moving to Teesside.

“We’re pleased (with Greaves’ performances) and we all want him to stay,” said Arveladze, whose side have made an impressive start to the new campaign, beating Bristol City and drawing with Preston. “We will spend some time and money to keep him here.

“I would like to say I know something from today, but I know the club is really busy and trying to do the best deal.

“He does well in his training sessions. He’s a bright and diligent boy for his age, and he understands the clubs are talking about him. If he loses focus on his job then it will damage only him, and nobody else. It will only affect his performance.

“I believe the people around him, especially his father, says the same, ‘These are your qualities, this is something you love to do well, so continue to do it well and the rest will follow’.”

Hull’s contract talks are being led by their owner, Acun Ilicali, and vice-chairman, Tan Kesler, with Arveladaze hoping they will reach a conclusion soon.

Boro are aware of the developing situation, and while they have not given up hope of resurrecting a deal for Greaves, Wilder and the rest of the club’s recruitment team are also pursuing a number of alternative defensive options.

“We’re not talking too much about this subject,” continued Arveladze, in an interview with Hull Live. “I just look at his performance. If I would see he’s slipping then I would notice and I would talk to him, but I see him fully concentrated.

“He’s a big part of this club – his future can be here more than the rest of us because he’s a local boy, he knows what it’s all about, he’s the vice-captain of the club.”