A report claims the Everton defender will be offloaded amid interest from Middlesbrough.

Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis has made a £5 million bid for the Everton defender Ramiro Funes Mori, according to the Daily Telegraph (June 21, Sport page 15).

The newspaper reports that Funes Mori will be offloaded as part of a substantial clear-out orchestrated by the new Everton boss Marco Silva.

The Argentine is the latest centre-back in whom Pulis has been credited with interest, after Bristol City’s Aden Flint was also listed as a £5 million Middlesbrough target by the Daily Mirror this week.

Incidentally, Boro’s Ben Gibson, who operates in the same role as Funes Mori and Flint, is said to have interest from Premier League clubs including Everton.

Pulis took midfielder Muhamed Besic on loan from the Toffees last season.

However, the Shields Gazette this week reported that Middlesbrough have prioritised a move for Sunderland’s Paddy McNair over Besic.

Funes Mori returned from a long-term lay off earlier this year, but only made four appearances for Everton’s first team last season.

In other news, Club now give player captain's armband, after reports Arsenal have bid for him