Exiting midfielder Grant Leadbitter’s agent has confirmed that his player is in talks with Middlesbrough about joining them on a Bosman free transfer this summer. Boro have long been seen as favourites to sign the 26-year-old, who confirmed his Town departure at the end of last month.

Agent Chris Lomas says that while the former Sunderland man is in no rush to make a decision, but at the same time would prefer his future to be resolved relatively quickly.

Lomas, who dismissed claims that a return to his native North-East is a big factor in Leadbitter’s desire to move this summer, says talks have taken place: “We’ve had some contact with Middlesbrough. Middlesbrough are an attractive club for a player. They are a great club and Tony Mowbray is a top guy. He wants to play football the right way.

“There are quite a few clubs who are interested in Grant. He’s got good experience and he’s a very good player.”

Brighton and Hove Albion have also previously been linked with the midfielder, who joined the Blues for £2.65 million from Sunderland in the summer of 2009.

Elsewhere, Sunderland keeper Kieren Westwood, who was targeted by Town before his switch from Coventry to the Black Cats last summer, has expressed his frustration at his lack of opportunities at the Stadium of Light: "I'm 27 and sitting on the bench is not my cup of tea. It is not why I play football and it is the first time since I got into the team at Carlisle at 20 that I have experienced it.”

The Irishman has vowed to fight to win a more regular place in the first team next season but may ultimately be forced to move on in order to play first team football.

Photo: Action Images

fussysnake added 11:47 - May 17 couldnt care less where he goes. Very disapointed with him and we should never have let him go on a free.
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JimmyJazz added 11:54 - May 17 Westwood is effectively third choice behind Mignolet and Gordon. Unless one of those two leaves it's not going to change anytime soon
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Garv added 11:58 - May 17 You're a goal keeper mate, deal with it. Occupational hazard I'm afraid. Watching Grant Leadbitter play in red at Portman road next season would be very interesting.
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IpsRich added 12:05 - May 17 Sorry for the tedious response, but I really don't care about Grant Leadbitter thanks TWTD. He's made his choice and it doesn't involve us, so I have no interest in reading about him and his future new club decision on here. As for Kieran Westwood - yes please. He should have realised last summer his chances at Sunderland would be limited though.
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Seasonticketsteve added 12:06 - May 17 Craig Gordon is being released by Sunderland this summer so effectively he will be the number 2 keeper there, would be a good signing if we could tempt him! As for Leadboots, as others have said-who cares!!!
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PauloJulio added 12:07 - May 17 Couldn't care less where he ends up. Only started playing well when his contract was nearly up to attract other clubs, also a s*** penalty taker as well.
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radiogaga added 12:13 - May 17 I am about as interested in this story as Leadbitter was in playing his best for Town the last 3 seasons..
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jas0999 added 12:15 - May 17 Leadbitter has effectively gone as far as I'm concerned. Who cares where he goes? No doubt PJ and Clegg have an excellent replacement lined up - so look forward to that being announced, not where Grant is going!
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pioneer added 12:21 - May 17 I read that as "Exciting midfielder Grant Leadbitter" to start with - and thought that was way off reality!!!!
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Mark added 12:27 - May 17 Hopefully Leadbitter is in no rush to join Middlebrough as maybe they are offering less money than Ipswich! Westwood has to decide between first team football in the Championship or the money in the Premier League Reserves. Sadly most choose the latter these days. If Westwood really wants to play, he should leave right now!
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walberswick added 12:47 - May 17 Oh dear Grant, have M'Boro changed their minds?
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SouperJim added 12:53 - May 17 I would like to express how little I care about Leadbitter by a) reading this story and b) posting this comment. Now I've shared my unbiased opinion with you all, I'm off to eat a plate of jumbo shrimp and join the hell's angels.
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rogie_dog added 12:58 - May 17 Saw this coming a mile off. He's entitled to leave but at least be honest about your intentions Grant. Bet him and TM have been talking for months.
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Essex_Tractor added 13:07 - May 17 Just glad to see the back of him tbh - hopefully it will give Stevenson/Hyam/Drury a chance at establishing themselves in midfield. Just a massive shame we didn't get any money back from that £2.65 million we wasted on him.
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sereneblue added 13:12 - May 17 "Middlesbrough are an attractive club for a player." This club must be one of the must boring and stale clubs about. And they say that Ipswich is a dull place to live!!!
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Surco72 added 13:13 - May 17 Another over priced very poor signing by Keane ,dont care where he goes and sure wont be missed at Town . Westwood would be a great signing or Gordon ,of Jaaskeleinin for a few years . West Brom released some interesting players yessterday as well
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Abullardnightout added 13:23 - May 17 Not bothered about Leadbitter at all, we should have sold him instead of wasting money letting him go on a free. Someone mentions we should sign Gordon, please be realistic is he really going to take about a 40,000 wage cut to join the championship
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yorksblue added 13:48 - May 17 Wouldn't have called M'boro FC boring. The town is a s**t hole tho. And its residents and all related.
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Seasonticketsteve added 13:54 - May 17 Aabullardnightout-didnt mention signing Gordon at all, my comment relates to Westwood if you read it correctly! Was merely saying that if Gordon leaves, then Westwood will be the number 2 keeper at Sunderland-only takes an injury to Mingolet and he has a chance of establishing himself at a Premiership team. For that reason I cant see Westwood signing for us or moving this summer, maybe in January though. Would personally move for Alex Smithies if Huddersfield do not get promoted.

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Seasonticketsteve added 13:56 - May 17 Also with regards to the Leadbitter debate, isnt Middlesborough always voted in the top two worst places to live in the UK with Hull-have fun Leadboots!!!
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Urchin added 13:57 - May 17 sorry.. but did someone somewhere feign interest in what happens to him
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Surco72 added 14:26 - May 17 Gordon has played 16 games in last two years ,will not be offered a new contract at Sunderland where he is probably third choice and will not find another mug like Keane to offer ridiculous wages and will more realistically being looking at championship level or Scotland rather then another premiership team on a massive wage reduction ,so that is realistic
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OldClactonBlue added 14:46 - May 17 If Mogga turns that useless waste of space into something to remotely compare with Barry Robson it will prove he's an infinitely better manager than the guy currently in post at Portman Road.
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DiamondGezzer added 15:06 - May 17 The crap his agent has spouted I wouldn't want him managing me - it smacks of desperation to me. It says, please sign him now, he's just left his last club for you and we really don't have another club interested, I just put that line in for good measure. He's no Shakespear or Richard Burton ! Don't take up acting mate, you'd starve !
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murraybrunning added 16:17 - May 17 Hugely disappointing for most of his time here. At the time thought he would be a good signing but it never turned out that way. Don't give a stuff where he ends up as the only time he showed any class was when he was putting himself in the shop window towards the end of this season. Westwood would be a great GK for us, as would Gouzan if he's available. Let's just pray for some decent buys soon!!

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