MIDDLESBROUGH remain in contract talks with Dael Fry, with both parties still confident of agreeing a deal that will see the centre-half remain on Teesside.
However, with Fry due to become a free agent later this month, a number of other Championship clubs are waiting in the wings to express an interest of their own if a new contract cannot be agreed.
With Tony Mowbray’s return to Ewood Park having been confirmed at the end of last week, Blackburn Rovers are understood to be one of the clubs that would be keen to talk to Fry and his representatives if discussions with Boro were to break down.
At the moment, that still feels unlikely, although a round of discussions towards the end of last month failed to result in a contract agreement.
The Middlesbrough hierarchy are understood to have tabled an offer for a new deal on Teesside, but at this stage it remains unsigned with negotiations ongoing.
At the age of 28, Fry, who is not currently understood to be one of Boro’s top three or four earners, will be hoping to secure a deal that provides a degree of long-term security.
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Boro head coach Kim Hellberg is a big admirer of the centre-half, who was a key figure in the second half of last season, starting all three of his side’s play-off games.
However, there will also be an acknowledgment that Fry’s injury issues limited him to just ten Championship starts between the start of last season and late January, with Hellberg having admitted that the defender has to work to an individually-tailored training schedule to give him the best chance of staying fit.
Boro will be working to a tight budget this summer as they look to compete with the host of Championship clubs that are benefiting from parachute payments, but there is still confidence that an agreement with Fry is close.
The situation over Hayden Hackney remains unchanged, with Boro yet to receive an offer that would come close to meeting their demands for the England Under-21 international.
Everton officials have held preliminary discussions with the Boro hierarchy over Hackney, but their valuation of the midfielder is understood to be a long way short of what the Teessiders would consider a minimum requirement for meaningful talks to even begin.
Fulham, Crystal Palace and Tottenham have been heavily linked with Hackney, with Manchester United boss Michael Carrick also known to be a strong admirer of the 23-year-old, having previously worked closely with him when he was Boro boss.
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