Premier League clubs linked with Middlesbrough duo, attacker reacts to new deal as Swansea man recalls Nottingham Forest moment

Middlesbrough are preparing for Wednesday’s meeting with Swansea City – but what else has been happening in and around the Riverside?

We round up some of the latest Boro-related news stories:

Duo ‘attracting Premier League interest’

Boro are keen to negotiate new deals with some of their key players in the next few weeks after Anfernee Dijksteel and Jonny Howson penned new deals at the Riverside.

Manager Neil Warnock has said there is likely to be interest in some of his players when the transfer window reopens in January but is adamant Boro won’t have to sell.

Yet recent reports have claimed Premier League clubs are tracking goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli, who joined Boro on a season-long loan from Fulham in September.

According to the Northern Echo, Paddy McNair’s performances at centre-half are also attracting a growing interest from the top-flight teams.

Youngster reacts to new deal

Middlesbrough winger Sam Folarin has become the latest player to sign a new deal at the Riverside.

The 20-year-old attacker, who joined Boro from non-league club Tooting and Mitcham in the summer of 2019, is rated highly by Warnock and made his Championship debut against Norwich in November.

Folarin’s new contract will run until the summer of 2023.

After putting pen to paper, the youngster tweeted: “Delighted to sign a new extended deal. Willing to continue the hard work. Special thanks to my family, agency and MFC Staff. #utb #Godsplan”

Winner was worth the pain says Swansea defender

Finally, former Boro defender Connor Roberts is preparing to return to the Riverside with Swansea on Wednesday.

The 25-year-old hardly featured for the Teessiders during a loan spell in 2017 but has now become a regular starter with the Swans.

Roberts scored the winner during Swansea’s 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest on Sunday but was left with a black eye after colliding with Forest’s Sammy Ameobi in the process.

Roberts told Swansea’s website: “I was on the run and he was a little static. No matter how tall he is, if I have a little run on him, it makes things a little more fair.

“I took a whack to my eye for it, but it was worth it in the end.”

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