Middlesbrough defender Paddy McNair is attracting attention from the Premier League ahead of the reopening of the transfer window next month, a report from The Northern Echo has revealed.

McNair has been in fine form for 'Boro at centre back so far this season, helping them to tenth place in the current Championship table.

The Northern Ireland international has featured in all 14 of 'Boro's league games to date in the current campaign, and it now seems as though his performances have started to draw attention from further up the football pyramid.

According to the latest reports, the 25-year-old - who started his senior career with Manchester United - is attracting attention from the Premier League, with the January transfer window now set to open in just under a month's time.

As yet it remains to be seen which top-flight clubs are interested in the Middlesbrough man, although the Championship side are said to be aware of the interest there is in McNair.

There are currently around 18 months remaining on McNair's contract with 'Boro, securing his future at The Riverside Stadium until the end of the 2021/22 season.

The Verdict

This will no doubt be something of a concern for Middlesbrough.

Neil Warnock's side have made a strong start to the season, and will no doubt be hoping to maintain a push for a play-off throughout the rest of the campaign.

McNair has clearly played a big part in that, and losing him midway through the season would surely be a big blow to their hopes of promotion in the next few months.

However, it could be hard for either the player or club to turn down a decent offer from a Premier League side, given the opportunity it would provide him with, and the difficult financial situation clubs outside the top-flight currently find themselves in.