EXCLUSIVE: Derisory Middlesbrough midfielder bid laughed off
Peterborough United have laughed off an offer of less than half-a-million from Middlesbrough for midfield star Marcus Maddison.
The 26-year-old is out-of-contract in the summer and can leave in January if a club bids £2.5million – but that is a fee that Boro are unlikely to be able to afford without sales.
As such Boro made an approach and we can reveal they offered £350,000 which The Posh dismissed out-of-hand.
Although Peterborough are worried that Maddison will leave – not to Boro – a number of their Championship rivals are hovering, and £2.5million appears well within their budgets.
Brentford, Derby, Bristol City and West Brom are amongst the clubs mulling over whether to meet the asking price next month.
Meanwhile, Jonathan Woodgate believes former Manchester United prospect Paddy McNair could be the difference in Boro’s bid to move themselves away from the Championship trap door.
McNair netted a late penalty against Forest recently to earn Middlesbrough an away 1-1 draw – much to the delight of Woodgate.
McNair had missed the win against Charlton but his return to first-team action had a huge impact on the team’s performance.
Formally a full back, the Northern Irishman has been relishing playing further forward as a winger under Woodgate.
Woodgate, whose future at the Riverside remains under the spotlight, was singing McNair’s praises after the game. Read more…