MIDDLESBROUGH boss Chris Wilder reiterated his desire to keep hold of Marcus Tavernier, amid Premier League interest in the midfielder.

The Daily Echo understands Cherries have tabled a bid for the 23-year-old this summer.

Fellow newly-promoted Nottingham Forest are also thought to be interested, with both clubs reportedly seeing offers of around £10million turned down by Boro.

Wilder is looking to guide Championship Middlesbrough back to the Premier League, and the Teesside club have this week seen their bank balance boosted by the sale of Djed Spence to Tottenham Hotspur, for a reported fee of £20million.

Leeds-born Tavernier started and scored for Wilder's side in a 3-0 pre-season win at Morecambe on Tuesday evening.

Discussing the midfielder's future after the game, Wilder told TeessideLive: “I don’t want to lose arguably one of our top players but I understand other bits about the game and the attraction of the Premier League.

"As you have seen (on Tuesday), Tav has took it in his stride.

"I thought his performance and his goal was excellent, he’s a major player for us.

"I don’t know what is around the corner but he’s a good player, but obviously, I want him to be a good player in a red shirt.

"He understands my philosophy and mentality. I think all of the players understand my philosophy and where I come from and how I want it to look, what demands I put on my players.

"And he is one of them who had an outstanding season last year.

“He’s come back and hit the ground running, his attitude is great and he is a proper player. He is a player that just gets on with it and I’m delighted that he is with us."