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.
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.