Middlesbrough are trying to hijack Celtic's move for Charlotte FC midfielder Riley McGree and made an improved offer worth more than £5 million, according to the Daily Mail. 

McGree impressed while on loan at Birmingham City in the first half of the season but has been linked with a string of clubs since being recalled at the start of the month.

Over the weekend, Boro were thought to be leading the race for the 23-year-old but Celtic are now said to have agreed a deal worth £3 million-plus, with an agreement on personal terms all but done.

However, the Daily Mail has now reported that the Teessiders have made a new and improved offer as they look to hijack the Scottish club's move for the Australia international.

The report claims that Boro have now made a bid of more than £5 million, including add ons, and are prepared to offer McGree wages of around £14,000 per week.

Journalist Alan Nixon has indicated that the Riverside outfit are "very keen" on the Australian, who is in the country at the moment.

The attacking midfielder established himself as a key player for Birmingham in the first half of the season and his two goals and two assists in 15 appearances do not reflect just how much of an impact he had for Lee Bowyer's side.

The Verdict

With a £3m+ deal agreed and personal terms nearly sealed, it was starting to seem as though McGree was on his way to Celtic but it seems Boro aren't done yet.

Whether their new and improved offer will be enough to hijack the move for the 23-year-old remains to be seen but it's a sign of the North East club's intent.

Arsenal loanee Folarin Balogun looks set to join the Teessiders on loan while they have already added another Premier League attacker until the end of the season in the form of Brighton's Aaron Conolly.

Boro had built up some momentum under Chris Wilder ahead of January and it appears they're looking to fuel their promotion push further with a strong winter window.