Middlesbrough are hopeful of making a breakthrough in their pursuit of Reading’s Chris Gunter this week, but could face competition from their Sky Bet Championship rivals, reports the Gazette Live.

Garry Monk is looking to take the Reading defender to the Riverside Stadium this summer, and is hopeful a deal could go through before the end of the week.

Reports suggest that Gunter has a £1m release clause that has been met, and despite Reading’s manager, Jaap Stam, keen to keep the 27-year old, Boro can now make their move to sign him.

Boro are not the only club interested in signing Gunter, with Leeds United and Aston Villa also monitoring the defender’s situation, whilst Swansea City could potentially offer him a Premier League opportunity.

Gunter played a key part in Reading’s magnificent 2016/17 campaign, helping the Royals to a top-six finish and an appearance in the play-off final in May.

The Welsh international featured in every Championship fixture last season, including Reading’s play-off campaign, which finished in disappointment, as the Royals lost to Huddersfield Town at Wembley.

Having arrived from Nottingham Forest in 2012, Gunter has gone on to make over 200 appearances at the Madejski Stadium, but after entering the final 12-months of his contract, his future is in doubt.

Where do you think Gunter will be playing his football next season? Can you see him leaving Reading this summer? Let us know your thoughts!