Middlesbrough have made a bid for Nottingham Forest striker Britt Assombalonga to spearhead a return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Boro chairman Steve Gibson has promised new manager Garry Monk funds to build a new-look team with Ben Gibson, Adama Traore and Stewart Downing expected to leave the Riverside Stadium after relegation.

Assombalonga, 24, is valued at around £10million having scored 30 goals in 47 Championship starts for Forest.

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Middlesbrough have made a bid for Nottingham Forest striker Britt Assombalonga

Monk is also looking for a top-class creative midfield player to offset the anticipated departure of Traore who is wanted by clubs in Spain, while former England international Downing has been told he can leave on a free.

Gibson is also expected to go, though Boro will look for £20million for the centre-half who was promoted into England squads last season.

Assombalonga's 14 goals last season after coming back from a serious knee injury helped keep Forest in the division, and Monk wants tried and trusted players at Championship level to win promotion.