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Middlesbrough are prepared to pay £15m for Nottingham Forest’s Britt Assombalonga, it is understood.

The Reds have already rejected an offer, thought to be £8m, for their £5.5m club record striker from Premier League Burnley.

But it is being reported their Championship rivals Boro are preparing to blow that bid out of the water in an attempt to prise the 24-year-old from the City Ground.

Assombalonga has scored 30 goals in 65 league games for the Reds to establish himself as one of the best goalscorers in the Championship.

But, while he is under contract with Forest until 2021, having only signed a new five-year deal with the club last summer, Reds legend Garry Birtles thinks he will leave this summer.

“The news of an £8m bid from Burnley means it's almost inevitable Britt Assombalonga's head will have been turned,” he said in his Post column on Wednesday.

“I must admit that I wouldn't blame him really, because it's not a long career playing football. The chance to play in the Premier League is not one that might come along again.

“You never know. It's a short career so you shouldn't hold it against the striker if he feels it's too good a chance to turn down.

“Of course, I'd love to see Britt stay. Like I said before, it would be great if Mark Warburton could build the team around him.

“Who knows, we might see him stay and be rewarded with another new contract.

“Henri Lansbury rejected Burnley a couple of years ago, but that was at a time when they were in the Championship.

“This is the Premier League and you feel now Forest's best option could be to get the highest possible bid for the player.”