MIDDLESBROUGH are in talks with Bristol City over the signing of wantaway striker Tommy Conway.

An agreement is yet to be reached, with talks between the two Championship clubs  ongoing. Conway was identified as a leading target this summer as Boro look to add to their forward line before the end of the transfer window.

Celtic have also been linked with the Scotland international, who is currently training away from Bristol City's first team squad having turned down the offer of a new contract at Ashton Gate. He's now in the final year of his deal and City boss Liam Manning recently admitted Conway wants to leave. Manning wants the situation resolved before the start of the Championship season.

Conway, 21, has been Bristol City's top scorer the last two seasons, playing his way into Steve Clarke's squad for the recent European Championship.

Signing another striker to provide further competition and support for Emmanuel Latte Lath and Josh Coburn has always been a preference this summer.

But, as previously reported by the Northern Echo, Boro were always willing to be patient on the striker front. Conway was identified as a leading target early in the summer and they wanted to see how his situation developed.

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Talks between the clubs are ongoing, with Boro hoping an agreement can be reached and Bristol City boss Manning keen for closure with Conway having made clear he's not interested in signing a new deal with the Robins.

"I know there was a lot of noise around me and Tommy falling out but that's not the case at all - we've been getting on fine," Manning told BBC Radio Bristol last week.

"I've had numerous chats with him last season going into his final year. The club, for me, made a fantastic offer to him but it was turned down. It wasn't negotiated.

"Then he gave the indication he wants to move on, he doesn't want to re-sign and stay."

Manning added: "For me, I will always protect the group as we prepare to go into another relentlessly difficult season, we need people who are fully focused on us.

"I had a chat with Tommy and explained that to him. He's working hard with the [under] 21s and making sure he's getting his programmes right and he's getting everything he needs.

"For me, my energy, and the staff's energy, needs to go into the team that are going to be fighting for the club week in, week out.

"He's indicated he wants to leave so the sooner the better, I think, for everyone involved."

Asked over the weekend whether the situation had developed, Manning said: "Not at the minute. Tommy's coming in every day, working hard and doing what he needs to do. The staff are looking after him. There are bits going on behind the scenes but nothing is done as of yet so nothing at the moment."