Middlesbrough close in on Howson

Howson, who has turned down a new contract at Norwich, is believed to be looking to move back up North and the 29-year-old has been identified by Boro boss Garry Monk as a top target this summer.

The Teessiders are now understood to have met Norwich's £5m asking price and barring any late hitches, it appears he will be a Boro player in time to join his new club for their Portugal training camp on Sunday.

The Canaries were reluctant to let Howson leave the club this summer, but having undergone a period of cost-cutting and with the player's reluctance to sign a new deal, decided that the move was for the best.

The former Leeds man made 188 appearances for Norwich and won their player of the year award in 2016.