Middlesbrough FC transfer rumours: Several clubs linked with Scottish striker plus Billy Sharp latest

Striker Lawrence Shankland won his first caps for Scotland last year.

The 24-year-old frontman only joined the Scottish Championship side in the summer but has hit the ground running, scoring a staggering 22 goals in 19 league appearances.

That type of form has inevitably attracted interest, with Scottish outlet the Daily Record claiming Championship side QPR are set to bid for Shankland this month.

It’s been reported that Rangers’ director of football Les Ferdinand will travel north of the boarder to watch Shankland in a Scottish Cup tie against Hibernian this weekend.

The same report has claimed Rangers, Celtic, Brentford, Middlesbrough and Everton have all watched the striker regularly in recent months.

Billy Sharp latest

Another player Boro have been linked with is Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp.

The 33-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at Bramall Lane but wouldn’t be short of options if he decided to leave.

Yet according to Blades boss Chris Wilder, Sharp wants to stay and fight for his place in the Premier League.

"I had another chat with Billy this week again and mentioned another club who made an enquiry.” Wilder told the Yorkshire Post.

“Yet again, I am not surprised.

"Quite rightly, a lot of clubs have asked the question, but my stance has not changed from what I said at the start. It is always Billy's choice what happens between now and the end of the season.

"His message to me is he wants to stay. Although you can never say never. If somebody comes in and offers a two-and-a-half year or three-and-a-half year deal, he will look at it and think: 'I have got to take that deal', then we will facilitate that.”

Bristol City assessing striker options

Bristol City were dealt a transfer blow this week following news that striker Eddie Nketiah will be staying at Arsenal in January.

The Robins now appear set to look elsewhere, with Boro frontman Britt Assombalonga one of the names being mentioned.

According to Bristol Live, City did look at the striker’s availability last January but decided the 27-year-old was too expensive.