Middlesbrough are hoping to beat Newcastle to the signing of Tom Cairney.
According to a report in The Sun the midfielder is the subject of transfer talks between Middlesbrough and Fulham.
Newcastle made an enquiry about Cairney a fortnight ago but switched their attention to Everton duo Tom Cleverley and James McCarthy.
Over the weekend it emerged that a £16m bid for McCarthy was rejected by Everton leaving Rafa Benitez with just 48 hours to find a new midfielder.
Cairney, with experience in both the Premier League and Championship would seem to be a perfect fit but Newcastle face competition from Middlesbrough for the former Scotland u-21 man.
Fulham are hopeful of clinching a place in the play-off’s but would find it difficult to resist an offer of over £10m for the 26-year-old.
Cairney joined Fulham in 2015 from Blackburn for £3m having previously played for Hull in the Premier League.