MIDDLESBROUGH will renew their attempts to sign Jacob Greaves after the defender rejected the offer of a new contract at Hull City.

Chris Wilder spelled out his transfer plans in the wake of his side’s Carabao Cup defeat to Barnsley last night, confirming that he still wants to sign another centre-half as well as two midfielders and two more forwards before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.

The Boro boss is determined to land a naturally left-footed central defender in an attempt to add some balance to his backline, with Greaves firmly established as his number one target.

Hull turned down an initial offer from the Teessiders for the 21-year-old earlier this month, in the hope of being able to persuade Greaves, who has entered the final year of his contract, to sign a new deal at the KCOM Stadium.

Talks took place between Tigers officials and the defender’s representatives at the start of the week, but sources claim Greaves has informed the Hull hierarchy he will not be extending his stay.

As a result, while Hull boss Shota Arveladze has repeatedly spelled out his desire to retain the youngster, who has started all three of his club’s matches so far this season, it is now anticipated that Hull will look to cash in.

Boro will attempt to negotiate a deal as quickly as possible, with Wilder keen to make some further transfer headway before his side host Sheffield United on Sunday looking for their first win of the campaign.

The Boro boss has added Darragh Lenihan to his central-defensive ranks this summer, but has sanctioned the departure of Sol Bamba, Nathan Wood and Lee Peltier since the end of last season.

Greaves would compete with Lenihan, Dael Fry, Paddy McNair and Anfernee Dijskteel for a starting spot if he was to move to the Riverside, but would be the only left-footed option in the centre-half group.

The Cottingham-born defender is the son of former Hull City and York City defender Mark Greaves, and is a product of Hull’s youth system, who has previously spent time on loan at Cheltenham Town. He has made 92 senior appearances for the Tigers since making his senior debut for the club in a League One win over Rochdale in October 2020.

“We’re still trying to sign more senior players because we know we need those players,” said Wilder, in the wake of last night's cup defeat. “We’re willing to pay prices that are fair and competitive, but we’re not going to over-pay.

“I had a meeting with Steve (Gibson) yesterday, and I know where his head is at. We’re all on the same page in terms of what we’re all after, but it’s not as easy as people think it is and we’ll just keep working away. I’m incredibly confident that before the window shuts, we’ll get to where we want to get.”