Middlesbrough are looking to secure the long-term future of goalkeeper Aynsley Pears, with some Premier League clubs becoming interested in making a move for the keeper in the summer, according to the Daily Mail.

Pears has managed to really establish himself as Boro’s first choice keeper over the course of the season, with the 21-year-old featuring 16 times in the Championship so far this campaign, initially coming into the side to fill in for the injured Darren Randolph.

Randolph has since made a permanent move back to Premier League West Ham United in January, and Pears’ excellent performances between the sticks during the experienced goalkeeper’s absence from injury have continued over the last few weeks as Middlesbrough continue to climb the table.

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The 21-year is out of contract in the summer, and it is thought that Premier League clubs are now becoming increasingly interested in trying to secure a move for Pears in the summer, but Jonathan Woodgate’s side are keen to see him commit his future to the Riverside.

The verdict

It is essential that Middlesbrough manage to keep hold of players with the qualities and potential that Pears offers them, and the keeper has been vital to their recent upturn in form which has seen them begin to move away from any potential fears of relegation this season.

Given Boro have already lost Randolph they can not really afford to allow another quality goalkeeper in Pears to leave the Riverside, because there is no guarantee that they would be able to recruit another keeper with the same amount of potential and quality as the 21-year-old.

Were Pears to leave in the summer Boro would be entitled to some fee due to his age, but is unlikely to be near his true long-term market value, which would mean he would be a potential bargain signing for a number of Premier League clubs.

That means that Middlesbrough will need to be doing all they can to ensure that he does sign a new deal and commit his future to the club before the end of the campaign, and if he does sign a new deal he could play a key role for the club over the next few years to come.