Tommy Conway- ‘leaning towards Middlesbrough’ after Carrick talks…

Boro are hoping to wrap up a deal to sign the 21-year-old having tabled a bid believed to be worth up to £5 million with performance-related add-ons included. But they faced competition and earlier in the week were concerned that parachute payment clubs might pip them thanks to their vaster financial resources.

But in a positive update for Boro, Hull, another of the sides in the race, have the impression that the Robins academy graduate is leaning more towards a move to the Riverside after conversations with Michael Carrick. An Ashton Gate exit inevitable this summer after he turned down a new deal and was ostracised to the under-21s this summer.

Encouragingly, sources suggest that Conway has also been

speaking to people within the game to ask about Boro and the Teesside area in general.

Speaking to BBC Humberside, Hull vice-chairman Kesler said: “We were interested in Tommy. I’m not going to lie, we jumped in late. But they went out and spoke to Middlesbrough, Leeds and I believe Sheffield came in at some point. He found positive communication with Michael Carrick, I believe, and is leaning more towards Middlesbrough.

“But we’re still in the picture. If he decides, we’ve spoken with Tim (Walter) and if he decides we’ll be happy to take him. He’s a very good player with potential, in the end, it comes back to the same point, if someone wants to not choose us or choose another club, happy days, we’ll find a better option.

“It’s about the club, our plan, the fans and our chairman’s dream. If a player goes to another club I’m not going to say anything negative but look at the positive, maybe it’s not meant to be for us. We want players to come here and do something special so they need to believe in the project. We are talking to two other strikers and in a very good state. We’ll be good with the striker position.”

If Boro can conclude the Conway deal it will be another huge feather in the cap of the Boro recruitment team – with the clubs mentioned who were in for him able to offer more money. Having this week convinced Micah Hamilton to leave Manchester City and move to the Riverside on a permanent, the Bristol frontman would be another statement signing as they boost Michael Carrick’s attacking options.