Burnley have seen an £8million bid for defender Dael Fry rejected by Middlesbrough, The Northern Echo have reported.

The Lancashire side reportedly made their first official move for Fry on Monday, but the bid of £8million was immediately rejected by the Middlesbrough hierarchy, who are determined to keep hold of one of their key players.

Fry graduated from Middlesbrough's academy - where he worked with current first team manager Jonathan Woodgate - and made his debut for the club's senior side in August 2015 as a 17-year-old.

Since then, the defender has gone onto make 67 appearances in all competitions for the Championship side, and only signed a new five-year contract at the Riverside Stadium in April 2018.

Last summer, Burnley signed Fry's fellow centre back Ben Gibson from 'Boro for a fee reported to be in the region of £15million, and it is thought that the Lancashire side will have to at least match that offer if they are to have any approach for Fry accepted.

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Fry was absent from Middlesbrough's opening day draw at Luton Town on Friday night due to injury, but is expected to return to full fitness in a couple of weeks time.

It has been claimed that the defender has no desire to leave Middlesbrough in the current transfer window.

The Verdict

It looks as though Middlesbrough are in a strong position here.

Given the length of time left on his contract, and the fact that Fry is not thought to be interested in a move away from the Riverside Stadium, you imagine they will be confident of keeping hold of one of their prized assets.

You can certainly see why the club are keen to keep hold of Fry, given the impact he has already made on the side at such a young age, meaning he could have a big part to play for Middlesbrough for years to come.

Jonathan Woodgate's side already look somewhat short on numbers in defence heading into the final days of the transfer window, and having already sold one centre back this summer - with Aden Flint moving to Cardiff - you imagine they will be reluctant to let another go before the window closes on Thursday.