Middlesbrough are exploring the possibility of legal action against Garry Monk for an alleged breach of contract by helping his agent, James Featherstone, to profit from their transfer dealings when he was manager of the club.

The Times has learnt that Middlesbrough sent a letter to their former manager’s lawyers, Mills & Reeve, alleging that Monk, who was manager at the Riverside Stadium from June-December 2017, passed on confidential information to Featherstone that enabled him to raise the sale price of at least one of the club’s transfer targets, thus increasing the agent’s commission.

All the allegations have been denied by Mills & Reeve on behalf of Monk and Featherstone. Middlesbrough are continuing to investigate after receiving information that they may have paid over the