Arsenal monitor Championship starlet Tavernier

The 18-year-old has become a key member of Garry Monk's side in recent weeks, having started all three of the Teessiders' last three Championship games.

Tavernier, the brother of Ranger right-back James, is highly rated by the coaching staff at Hurworth and was recently rewarded for his domestic form with a call-up for England's U19 side, with the player featuring in the games against the Faroe Islands, Iceland, and Bulgaria this month.

These days 'Tav' is a left-sided midfielder, though he has been deployed in almost every midfield position as well as left-back in his more formative years.

The youngster scored the winner against Sunderland last time out and also found the net in the club's Carabao Cup defeat to Bournemouth. His game isn't all about goals though, with the flying flanker also having laid on two assists in his six senior outings, the second of which, a pin-point cross from deep that allowed Patrick Bamford to head home his second of the game against Aston Villa, led Bamford to declare that 'no other player on the pitch could have put a better ball in for me.'

The defeat to Bournemouth remains the only blot on Tavernier's copybook at this stage in his senior career.

His development hasn't gone unnoticed either, with English publication 'The Daily Mail' reporting that Arsenal are more than keen on bringing the sprightly winger to the Emirates.

Struggling Everton are also rumoured to hold an interest, having successfully plucked the likes of Mason Holgate, John Stones, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Ademola Lookman from the Football League in recent years.

Boro are aware of the sharks that are circling and whilst Tavernier's contract expires in the summer, the club hold a one-year option which should be triggered within the coming weeks.

Chief executive Neil Bausor is thought to already be working on a new long-term deal to keep the teen in the North East, with Middlesbrough particularly proud of their academy and the players it produces.