Gareth Southgate’s Middlesbrough are apparently keen to snap up Leeds starlet Fabian Delph from under the noses of a host of Premiership rivals including Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.

One key aspect in favour of Boro appears to be the prospect of regular first-team football at the Riverside Stadium, as compared to the other sides, who however, could lure the talented England Under-21 midfielder with lucrative package.

The Northern Echo reports that the Teessiders are expected to make a formal inquiry in early January.

It further claims that sources close to the Leeds squad suggest that if Delph leaves Elland Road in January, it will not be to join a club who are likely to leave him kicking his heels in the reserves.

Recently though Leeds chairman Ken Bates has dismissed the possibility of selling the 18-year-old.

Bates said: “I’m sick of reading about it. It’s usually written by people who are flying kites.

"This is the last time I’m saying it. Fabian has just signed a four-year contract and is with us until 2012.

“We do not intend to comment any further on this speculation anywhere.”