According to Sky Sports News, Middlesbrough have made a bid in excess of £5m for Sunderland midfielder Paddy McNair ahead of the 2018-19 campaign.

What's the story?

McNair only made 16 Championship appearances for Sunderland last season, but he managed five goals for the relegated Black Cats.

Brighton & Hove Albion are believed to be interested in signing the 15-time Northern Ireland international, with the Seagulls said to have had at least one bid rejected.

According to Sky Sports News, Boro have offered more than £5m for the versatile midfielder as Tony Pulis' side look to boost their squad ahead of the 2018-19 season.

Pulis led Boro, who have also been linked with Robert Huth, into the Championship playoffs last term, but they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa in the semi-finals.

The former Premier League club will fancy their chances of launching another bid for promotion next term, however, and McNair would boost their challenge.

Would McNair be a good signing?

In short, yes. McNair broke into the Manchester United first team in 2014, and made 27 first-team appearances for the Red Devils before joining Sunderland in August 2016.

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McNair missed the start of last season with a serious knee problem, but showed his class upon returning to fitness, and ended the campaign with five Championship goals.

It is going to prove almost impossible for Sunderland to keep him following their relegation to League One, and McNair would be a fine signing for Boro. Indeed, if they can sign him for just over £5m, it could go down as one of the best deals of the summer.

The 23-year-old is capable of playing in a number of positions in both midfield and defence, whilst he has already shown that he can hold his own at Premier League level, let alone in the second tier.