Chris Wilder is closing in on a deal for Middlesbrough winger Marvin Johnson, according to BBC Sheffield's Andy Giddings.

He's tweeted that a Blades swoop for the 27-year old should be completed before the weekend, when they entertain Norwich at Bramall Lane.

As the permanent transfer window is closed, any swoop for the former Oxford man will be a loan deal, but it remains to be seen if a right to buy is in place when deals are allowed again in January.

Johnson started his career with Solihull Moors, but made a name for himself in the National League with Kidderminster Harriers. from there he secured a dream move to Motherwell in the Scottish Premier League.

11 goals in 64 outings prompted Oxford United to bring him back to England in 2016, where he continued to impress. After just one full season at the Kassam, Boro forked out around £2.5m to take him to the north east.

He's since played 18 times for them, scoring once, but has found himself on the bench at the start of the current campaign.

The Verdict

There's a lot of hype around Johnson, a traditional winger with plenty of pace and an eye for a wonder-strike.

It's surprising that Tony Pulis doesn't see him as part of the future there, he fits nicely into their brand of counter-attacking football, but his loss could be Chris Wilder's gain.

With Woodburn, Johnson and Oliver Norwood feeding their attackers, they'll be guaranteed some goals. This could be a very shrewd move.