EXCLUSIVE: Man Utd, Chelsea monitoring Boro defensive star

Rob McCarthy

Middlesbrough’s Dael Fry is starting to attract as much interest as his central defensive partner Ben Gibson, we can exclusively reveal.

Gibson, who been part of England’s senior squad, was the subject of bids in the summer with Leicester City failing to land the 24-year-old – who was watched closely by a host of clubs.

Clubs have continued to check on Gibson and whilst he has been very good, Fry has put in some truly eye-catching displays.

The Middlesbrough-born 20-year-old is a stylish performer, and he was part of Paul Simpson’s squad that won the Youth World Cup in the summer.

He signed a new long-term deal this summer, but now he has emerged as a first-teamer under Garry Monk and Boro are set to open talks over a new deal, to signify his new squad status.

Boro are seen as a side that are in with a good shot of promotion back to the Premier League.

TEAMtalk can reveal that Manchester United and Chelsea are two who are particularly impressed by Fry – who has been called into Adrian Bothroyd’s latest Under-21 squad and will start against Scotland at The Riverside this week.