REPORTS from Middlesbrough suggest that Marcus Tavernier rejected a new deal in order to push for a move to Cherries.

23-year-old Tavernier is reportedly set for a medical ahead of a move to Cherries for a fee in the region of £12.5 million, with Teesside Live reporting that the midfielder will not be included in Boro’s squad for their opening day clash with West Brom.

The same report states that the Teesside club offered Tavernier new terms, with manager Chris Wilder keen to keep the academy product at the Riverside.

Already a key figure at Boro, Tavernier remained a mainstay in Wilder’s side after the former Sheffield United manager took charge of Middlesbrough midway through last campaign.

Tavernier’s current deal with Middlesbrough is reportedly set to expire at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

Teesside Live also state Boro “couldn’t have done anymore” to retain the services of Tavernier, with the Leeds-born midfielder keen to move to the Premier League.

It is believed that the move will be completed by the end of the week, following reports that Tavernier had travelled down Thursday to complete a medical ahead of the switch.

Sky Sports claim that the deal involves an upfront fee of £10 million with a further £2.5 million in performance-related potential fees.