Middlesbrough have leapt to the front of the pack for Borussia Dortmund's Neven Subotic.

Reports suggest that Boro have flown the Serbian defender in from Dortmund's pre-season training camp in order to nut out a deal.

It is believed that the German club want to sell the 27-year-old but Premier League returnees Boro are looking at a 12-month loan with the view to a permanent deal.

Aitor Karanka is eager to sign a quality central defender as he prepares his squad for the 2016/17 top flight season and Subotic has become available after telling BVB he wants to leave the Westfalenstadion.

Sunderland and Stoke City are also keen on the former Mainz centre-half who has also been linked with a reunion with Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.

Subotic is expected to cost around £6.5million.