RAV van den Berg admits he can't offer a 100 per cent guarantee that he will still be a Middlesbrough player next season - but the teenage defender has reiterated how happy he is on Teesside and says: "I don't feel I have any reason to leave here."

Van den Berg's qualities are well known to some of Europe's biggest clubs who courted the Dutchman before he opted to join Boro last summer.

He's since enjoyed a terrific first season at the Riverside, establishing himself as one of the brightest lights in the Championship and even wearing the captain's armband for Michael Carrick's side, despite the fact he's only 19.

Boro are keen to reward van den Berg for his outstanding displays and have held talks over a new and improved contract.

The teenager has previously told of how he firmly believes he's in the best place to continue his impressive development and has doubled down on that view, telling of how he's "really happy" on Teesside and "can't wait" for next season.

But he admits his future is out of his hands to an extent in that he doesn't know whether any interested clubs are going to table formal bids this summer.

Boro are determined to keep hold of one of their star assets but, as demonstrated with Morgan Rogers' move to Aston Villa in January, every player has his price. Premier League clubs have been linked with the centre-half, while Milan, Juventus and Dortmund were among those who wanted to sign him last summer.

Van den Berg still has three years to run on his current contract at the Riverside and certainly won't be agitating for a move this summer.

“Of course, I am really happy now," he said.

"Sometimes it is not always just your own decision. I don’t feel I have any reason to leave here. But you never know in football, is the only thing I can say. It’s not always fully the player’s decision.

"But I am really happy right now and we will see what the summer brings. I’m really at home here, the dressing room is a really close place to be which is really important. If we all stick around next year, I believe we can have a really good year."

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Van den Berg was an influential figure in the second half of the season especially, with Boro finishing the campaign with just one defeat in 12 games, raising confidence that Carrick's side will be well equipped to push for promotion next term.

With a year of Championship experience now under his belt, van den Berg says Boro need to be more consistent if they're to build on their eighth-place finish this season. But he thinks the current squad is well placed to progress, and Boro will strengthen with several new faces in the months ahead.

“We feel like we’re in a really good place heading into next season," said van den Berg.

"Especially if you look at this season, we had a lot of ups, but a lot of downs as well, so we need to find more of a straight line.

"But we ended this season in a good place for next season and if we can continue that kind of form we will have a good chance. I have a good feeling and I can’t wait for next season."