MIDDLESBROUGH have joined Sunderland and Stoke City in the race to sign Everton striker Ellis Simms.
The former Manchester City starlet is in demand this summer as he enters the final year of his Toffees contract.
According to TeamTalk, Boro are the latest Championship club to enquire about signing Simms.
Sunderland, Stoke and Ipswich Town are said to have already made clear their interest in pursuing a deal for the forward.
Middlesbrough’s interest comes as they fear losing last season’s Championship top scorer Chuba Akpom.
As revealed by SunSport, Akpom is wanted by several Premier League clubs and is also into the final 12 months of his contract.
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His strike partner Cameron Archer has already departed the Riverside Stadium, returning to parent club Aston Villa following his loan spell.
Simms appears set to leave Everton this summer after struggling for game time after being recalled from his loan at Sunderland in January.
He scored once in 11 Premier League matches for the club but was limited to just two starts under Sean Dyche.
The 22-year-old had scored seven times during his six-month stint at Sunderland prior to returning to Merseyside.
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A move to Middlesbrough would see Simms boost the club’s promotion push following last season’s fourth-placed finish in the Championship.
Michael Carrick guided the club to the play-offs before losing over two legs to Coventry City at the end of the season.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
