According to the Bristol Post, Middlesbrough are extremely interested in signing Bristol City defender Joe Bryan in this summer's transfer window.

What's the story?

Bristol City will do very well to keep hold of Bryan this summer when considering his performances over the last few seasons.

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The 24-year-old scored seven times in 48 appearances for Bristol City in all competitions last term - including a goal against Manchester United in the EFL Cup.

Leeds have been strongly linked with a move for the left-back in recent days, with head coach Marcelo Bielsa said to be a firm admirer of his talents.

However, according to the Bristol Post, Boro are also very much in the hunt, with last season's Championship playoff semi-finalists eyeing a move in this summer's transfer window.

The report claims that Bristol City are yet to receive any firm bids for Bryan, but the interest from Leeds and Boro - in addition to a number of Premier League clubs - is genuine.

Can Middlesbrough win the race?

Boro are already being tipped as Championship title challengers for next season, despite the fact that key attacker Adama Traore could leave the Riverside Stadium this summer.

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Paddy McNair and Aden Flint have both recently moved to Tony Pulis' team, and more new arrivals are expected before the start of the new Championship season next month.

The signing of Bryan would be another huge statement of intent from Boro, with the Englishman developing into one of the biggest talents outside of the Premier League.

Bryan, who is valued at £4.5m by Transfermarkt, looked at home against Man United in the EFL Cup last season, and managed five Championship goals during a very impressive 2017-18 campaign.

Boro are seemingly not messing around this summer, and according to the Bristol Post, they will make a strong attempt to bring Bryan to the club.