Transfer news: Middlesbrough set to challenge Derby County for ex-Cardiff City winger Nathaniel Mendez-Laing

The 28-year-old is a free agent after his contract at Cardiff was surprisingly terminated last year, with the reason behind it still unclear.

When the player’s departure was announced in September, A Cardiff statement read: "Cardiff City Football Club has, with immediate effect, terminated the contract of Nathaniel Mendez-Laing.

"The club will not be making any further comment on the matter.”

Then Cardiff manager, Neil Harris, said there had been a "serious breach of contract" but that he was bound by “legal protocol”.

Mendez-Laing has been without a club since leaving the Cardiff City Stadium but appears ready to return to the game.

The winger has been working with highly-rated personal trainer Nic St-Maurice, who has also worked with the likes of Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema and Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold, over the last few months.

Reports had suggested that Derby have been in contact with Mendez-Laing regarding a potential deal, yet it’s since been claimed Boro could hijack the move.

According to Sky Sports, the Teessiders are leading the chase to sign the winger, whose preferred option is to link up with former Cardiff boss Neil Warnock at the Riverside.

Boro have been looking at attacking wide players during the transfer window and managed to sign Everton winger Yannick Bolasie last week.

West Brom playmaker Kamil Grosicki has also been linked with a move to Teesside after his loan move to Nottingham Forest collapsed during the last transfer window.

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