Middlesbrough FC transfer rumours: Talk over Peterborough playmaker plus Lyndon Dykes discusses future

Maddison, who was also linked with Sunderland in the summer, is set to become a free agent at the end of the season but has a £2.5million release clause in his contract.

Yet Fry insists Peterborough won’t be selling one of their key players on the cheap, especially as Maddison has scored nine goals in 18 League One appearances this season.

“We are not interested in selling anyone in January. We want to add to the squad not weaken it,” said Fry at a question-and-answer session at the club’s AGM meeting.

“The one issue we could have is Marcus, because if someone meets his valuation we can’t stop him talking to the bidding club and he could then leave.

“I don’t believe for one minute that will happen though. It makes no sense to pay £2.5million for someone you could sign for nothing in five months time.

“Some clubs have made cheeky offers, but they won’t get Marcus on the cheap.”

Latest Lyndon Dykes reports

Another attacking player who has been linked with Boro in recent weeks is Livingston midfielder Lyndon Dykes.

The 24-year-old has scored six goals in 15 games for the Scottish Premiership side this season, leading to reported interest from several Championship clubs.

According to the Daily Mail, Boro have been tracking the Aussie playmaker while QPR, Brentford, Cardiff, Hull and Bristol City have all been credited with interest.

Dykes recently told Scottish paper The Herald: "I have heard about interest and scouts watching me but my goal is to reach as high as I can, one day move onto a better league and a bigger team.

"I want to prove week-in, week-out that I'm a player people want. I look at paper talk, which isn't always set in stone, but I want to make it happen, I'll always work hard to have a good career.”