Ex-Sunderland winger Duncan Watmore attracting interest from Burnley, West Brom and Stoke as Middlesbrough talks continue

The former Sunderland winger has impressed at the Riverside Stadium since joining on a short-term deal earlier this season, and manager Neil Warnock is keen to see the 26-year-old extend his stay with the club.

But Sky Sports suggest that Watmore is attracting interest from the top flight ahead of the January transfer window.

Burnley and West Brom – who are managed by ex-Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce – are reportedly among his admirers, as well as Championship trio Swansea, Stoke City and Watford.

However, the reports suggest that Watmore’s preference is to stay at Boro.

Speaking on Monday about the forward’s contract situation, as he enters the final fortnight of his contract, Warnock said: "I'll have another chat with Duncan today after training.

“I hope he stays, I'd like him to stay, I think it would be the right decision for both parties, but sometimes you get advice and you tend to listen to that advice at times.

“I'm not always sure it's the right advice, we'll have to see.”

“If he was a younger lad and hadn't had so many injuries it might be a different ball game.

“Then, financially you need this, that and the other. I'm not sure financially that's Duncan's priority if I was advising him, it's playing somewhere where he's wanted with players he's used to and that he'll get game time and score a few goals and enjoy himself.

"He's been out that long he has to enjoy it, and I think he is at the minute.”

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