Manchester United transfer news: Jose Mourinho’s Red Devils and Antonio Conte’s Chelsea keeping tabs on Middlesbrough’s England Under-21 star Dael Fry

Gary Stonehouse

Published: 15:58, 2 Oct 2017
Updated: 10:39, 3 Oct 2017

MANCHESTER UNITED and Chelsea are both reportedly interested in Middlesbrough's England Under-21s international Dael Fry.

The central defender has been hugely impressive this season after being given an opportunity in the starting XI alongside Ben Gibson.

The England Under-21s defender has been one of Boro's best performers this seasonCredit: Getty

And those mature displays have caught the attentions of Premier League giants United and Chelsea, according to TeamTalk.

Fry, who is currently with the U21s ahead of their European qualifiers against Scotland and Lithuania, helped his country to win the U20s World Cup in the summer.

After making his senior bow for Boro two years ago, he ended up playing a key role in helping them to win promotion from the Championship under Aitor Karanka as he stepped in during an injury crisis.

He began last season on-loan at Rotherham before returning to the Riverside in January and making two appearances in the FA Cup.

However, this campaign he has gone from strength-to-strength and has already featured 11 times under Monk, helping his side to keep seven clean sheets in those matches.

Fry has featured mostly alongside fellow Teessider Gibson at the heart of the defence, another star who was heavily linked with a move away over the summer following relegation, and has proved a more than capable partner.

Jose Mourinho's scouts have reportedly been watching the centre-halfCredit: Getty Images - Getty

And TeamTalk claim that Antonio Conte's Chelsea are also interestedCredit: Rex Features

LATEST MANCHESTER UNITED NEWS

YOR BLIMEY

Bruno slammed by Utd icon for aspect of play that 'looks like hard work but…'

And now he has found himself potentially in demand after scouts from United and Chelsea have both been in attendance to watch him in action.

Fry, who also won the U17s European Championship with England back in 2014, is under contract at his hometown club until 2011.

But following the interest from the Red Devils and the Blues, the report claims that he is set to open talks over a new deal as Boro hope to tie-down his long-term future with them after his first-team breakthrough.