Middlesbrough are reportedly on the verge of signing Matt Crooks, according to the Northern Echo.
The outlet claims that talks between Boro and the Rotherham midfielder have gone well.
Indeed, the deal could even be finalised in a matter of days, suggested the report.
Crooks isn’t expected to join the Boro squad at their training camp in Cornwall, however.
This is based on the understanding that it could take longer than this week for the deal to be completed, added the Northern Echo.
Middlesbrough reportedly signing a versatile, hard-working player
Crooks, who stands 6ft 3in, was at Manchester United’s academy as a youngster.
He then joined Huddersfield’s academy and turned senior while there, but one senior appearance for the Terriers.
Crooks took in several loan spells away from the club before joining Accrington Stanley permanently in 2015.
The 27-year-old also played for Rangers, Scunthorpe (on loan) and Northampton before joining Rotherham in 2019.
Crooks has made 97 competitive appearances for the Millers, registering 21 goals and seven assists.
A midfielder by trade, he has played in almost every outfield position throughout his career.
He has lined up as a centre-forward or second striker 18 times in competitive games, plus 10 times on the wings.
“Real driving force for the team”
Crooks won the Championship Player of the Month Award in January this year.
He grabbed three goals in four outings in january, a feat which saw him picked for the award ahead of the likes of Harvey Elliott.
“He’s a real driving force for the team, obviously he has got the goals which is great too,” Rotherham boss Paul Warne told the official club website.
“His taking on of information has really improved too, for example during a recent game there was a corner where he dropped into the zone and cleared the ball off the line with a header.
“His overall performances have been really good and the lads clearly think a lot of him.
“I’m really pleased for him and as he said it is testament to the whole team.”