Middlesbrough appear to have emerged as the new favourites in the race to sign Blues striker Martyn Waghorn.

The Scottish Sun claims Boro are close to completing a move for the former Rangers frontman having made a £7 million bid using the cash from Patrick Bamford's impending sale to Leeds United.

However, while Teessiders boss Tony Pulis is very keen on Waghorn, as TWTD was first to reveal a month ago, we understand their interest is yet to progress as far as reported and the 28-year-old, who scored 16 times and claimed 11 assists last season, is training with the Blues at Playford Road this morning.

Yesterday, Derby’s pursuit of Waghorn was dealt a blow when Matej Vydra’s proposed £11 million switch to Leeds broke down.

The Rams, previously the leading contenders to land the Town number nine having had a bid of £5 million rising to £8 million turned down last week and still very keen, are understood to need Vydra to move on before they can bring in Waghorn in order to stay within Financial Fair Play limits.

In addition to Boro and Derby, Sheffield United had an offer close to £5 million rebuffed a month ago, while Birmingham City, who are currently subject to a transfer embargo, have also been eyeing Waghorn and Nottingham Forest have been linked.

Waghorn’s former club Rangers would receive 10 per cent of the profit the Blues make on the switch should the South Shields-born frontman move on.

Photo: Matchday Images

JimmyP45 added 12:26 - Jul 31 Cash in now and get a £3m bid in for Celina to rival Swansea to his signing.
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MrJase77 added 12:36 - Jul 31 We need to be keeping our best players, not selling them.
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runningout added 12:38 - Jul 31 That's football I'm afraid:-)
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wychyblue added 12:38 - Jul 31 TractorBoyTommy is not a tractor boy and by his endless posts proves to us all he knows nought about football. PH may well go on to be unsuccessful , personally I don't think he will but by god, there is no way he can be worse than MM. Funny how MM hasn't got a job or even really been mentioned in connection with one. Obviously not quite as good as he continually told us he was. Let's drop MM and move on with something different with PH.

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oldelsworthyfan added 12:39 - Jul 31 It's probably mostly about if he wants to leave us or not. If he does it's sad, so take the money - and invest it in three young players. A midfielder with potential to open opposition defences, another CB and another striker.
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BlueThunder74 added 12:43 - Jul 31 We just need a resolution to this now. Either Wags states he wants to stay or we push for a deal with Boro. Otherwise there is a big risk a deal will be agreed far to late in the window and we will only be able to get a loan deal agreed as a replacement. Not good.
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dirtydingusmagee added 12:51 - Jul 31 If just looking at it as a cash deal, yes its good business, but when it comes to a replacement it gets a bit worrying, not only in regards as to who we replace him with, but the short time period left in which to find someone and get the deal done, Surely if Hurst wants him to stay ,and he dosnt want to go, it should be a simple Waghorn not for sale /going nowhere.This makes me think he does want to move. Some people say he may not like Hursts way of playing !, cant see that being the case, Hurst is looking to attack, he should get more service than last season, when frontmen were fed scraps . Odd situation ,just hope this dosnt blight the start of the season .

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Pluskat666 added 12:59 - Jul 31 Surely Derby broke Financial Fair Play rules a long time ago!?!?!?!
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rugbytomc added 13:02 - Jul 31 Financial fair play nonsense. Derby have been spending millions in the championship for a few years now-where are their balanced books?! As if selling Vydra and buying waghorn would balance them?! Why aren't more teams being punished like qpr? Wolves, Middlesbrough and Derby all spring to mind. Distribute the fines to the teams who didn't get promoted in those years as they missed out due to the cheating

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bugledog123 added 13:05 - Jul 31 If we ever want to get out of this division then we cannot sell proven strikers like Waggy. It's crazy even if it does mean we make some £.
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mathiemagic added 13:11 - Jul 31 I am getting a little fed up with this to be honest now. Waggy needs to state he wants to go and make it happen or come out and say he is happy at Ipswich and either get on with it or agree a new contract if one is even on the cards to keep him here. He has not played much pre-season so don't expect him to start against BBurn if he is still about. There is no guarantee that he would be top scorer again this season so if we can get 8 million for him then that is excellent business. Please get it done now so we can try to re-invest the money by close of the TW on the 9th.

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jazee1969 added 13:17 - Jul 31 Why are we selling our best player ? Makes no sense, unless he has requested a move keep him because without him we have no chance of a top six finish ! Yes we could reinvest the money, but we have a proven championship player who was happy to stay, just because it's a big profic shoudnt be the only reason to sell,bloody annoying selling to a rival just about spells out our pecking order in this division, no bloody hope, we should be strengthening our squad with the likes of waghorn not weakening it days before the season starts, ffs !

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BlueandTruesince82 added 13:22 - Jul 31 The manager and the owner have been very clear they want Waghorn to stay. If he goes it's because he wants to
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Osbourne_One_Nil added 13:25 - Jul 31 Whether he wants to stay or go is irrelevant, ITFC are the gangmaster and can hold out or accept any bid they like , his wishes only enter into it if the offer is accepted and personal terms , signing on fee, salary , bonuses (wins, goals, promotion to Prem etc) , and length of contract are discussed. Given he will earn substantially more and with a move back to the north east on offer its easy to see why he is tempted , Evans in recent memory kissed £7M goodbye by holding onto McGoldrick for too long , won't make the same mistake again

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hadleighboyblue added 13:28 - Jul 31 The manager and Waghorn will obviously have talked about the situation , but both are being professional and not saying anything in public . Whether or not Waghorn had thoughts about moving , the money he will make from a move is enough to make him happy to go and who can blame him . Buying 3 decent players from the proceeds of the sale should actually strengthen the team if we get the right players in . His head must have been turned and if that's so , there is no point keeping someone that wishes he had gone . Waghorn is a true pro but this distraction will do us no favours .

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blue90 added 13:33 - Jul 31 Is Tractor boy Timmy Norwich's Harry from Bath? Delving into the forums leaving comments attempting to cause unrest within rival camps. To clarify, i'm not suggesting our Harry from Bath would ever act in this way.
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Len_Brennan added 13:35 - Jul 31 Every player has his price; even Neymar, Ronaldo etc. Maybe Waghorn wants to go back up north & I'm sure he'd like to double his wages or better, but I'm reasonably sure he is not driving this speculation & looking to hold the club to ransom over a move. He was arguably the most potent forward in the Championship last season (if you value goals + assists total over a straight goals return), while with a mid table side. He is therefore bound to be someone that ambitious sides with money will covet and so speculation was always inevitable this summer. The reality is that we are where we are regardless of Waghorn's interest in a move or the club interest in selling him. Once enquiries come in, & ultimately offers, the club is duty bound to inform the player and his agent and consider it in the best interests of ths club.

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Jonnosdreadlocks added 13:57 - Jul 31 hope he doesn't go, if he does can we have Bamford as a replacement
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dubblue added 14:09 - Jul 31 Hope he does not go. I am not convinced there would be a transfer budget of £6.25m in any case. We would probably end up with a couple of loanees just like Leon Best. ME/PH be ambitious and just say no!!
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timkatieadamitfc added 14:13 - Jul 31 @steveitfc - Adam Webster money alone has more than covered incoming players, and we've had 3m more from various dealings bought into club. @samassiabou - this is ABSOLUTELY NOT good money when you consider Bamford has just gone for 10m and he's nowhere near the player Waghorn is. @timspencero- could not agree with you more, great post Whoever said he was a one season wonder, only time will tell, but I would sooner have him over Garner/sears/Harrison or Jackson if we sign him, ANY day of week as it's not just goals but his assists too

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martin587 added 14:55 - Jul 31 At the end of the day,football is now becoming a business more than ever.A vast majority of clubs are finding it hard to survive these days and if selling your best players to stay solvent is required then so be it. I honestly don't think this refers to us as Mr.Evans runs a very tight ship and I doubt he would ever let the club slip into a situation as such. We have a new manager and his outlook is vastly different to that of our previous manager and I feel he will get a lot of backing from the owner.He prefers to give young hungry players from lower leagues the chance to prove themselves at a higher level to which I'm all in favour of and I'm sure most Town supporters will agree. I personally don't think MW has requested.He had an exceptional season and due to that clubs with money will always test a clubs resolve. We have to bear in mind,one player does not make a team,and yes if he were to leave it would be a lose,but with the amount of money being quoted we could enhance the team with CB's and another striker. So at the end of the day we must be honest and think what is best for the club in the future.If we held onto Waghorn for another season he could vertually go for nothing and where would we be. I feel very optimistic in the coming season whatever the outcome regarding MW.

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Karlosfandangal added 15:27 - Jul 31 I think Derby are out of the picture now as they have just signed a midfielder for an undisclosed fee. So they will need to sell Vidra and not many will pay his 60 k wages
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TrueBlueRich added 15:36 - Jul 31 Tractor Boy Tommy- Absolutely a pathetic post. Calling the manager a " clown" before the season has started, complaining about players from lower divisions, finally for a fan to already predict relegation . An absolute disgrace, come on, yes it will be tough but get behind the manager and players ,and be optimistic. I can't wait to see good football being played again.coyb

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floridaboy added 15:48 - Jul 31 If Waghorn wanted to stay why hasn't he come out and said so. At the end of the day all he is interested is the wages he would get by moving on. Boro would probably triple his current salary. Yes his family and parents are apparently really happy down here but shouldn't think he would worry about that with the potential earnings he would get by moving on. No loyalty in football anymore just pure greed. Plus of course there is not guarantee he will reproduce last seasons form. Funny old game football!! Hope he goes in the next few days and Hurst can get his targets on board. Personally really looking forward to seeing the side play with young hungry players. Not going to tear the division apart, that is certain, but think the football is going to so much better then we have had to put up with over the past few seasons.

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Jonnosdreadlocks added 16:17 - Jul 31 well Bamford (who I rate) has joined dirty leeds for 10m, Pullis will be in for Waghorn. We really are paupers in this division, Evans must rue Keane and Jewell spunking all that Cash.
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