Monk looks for more competition

FORMER Sunderland stopper Keiren Westwood is believed to be Garry Monk’s No.1 target to fill his goalkeeping vacancy next season. Boro are said to have offered Sheffield Wednesday £3m for the 32-year-old, who has one of the best clean-sheet records in the Championship over the last three years.

Westwood played only 24 games in three seasons with Sunderland but has really blossomed since signing for the Owls and has been a first team regular, compiling 124 league and cup appearances.

Monk will surely have been well aware of Westwood’s excellent form last season while he was manager of nearby Leeds United.

Boro’s interest in the Republic of Ireland international indicates that Monk is looking for more experience in order to increase competition between the sticks next season.

If Monk fails to land Westwood then he may switch his attentions to Blackburn Rovers, where former Boro keeper Jason Steele could probably be signed for a similar fee.

It appears that Dimi Konstantopoulos is to be offered a new one-year deal to extend his Boro career into a fifth season.

Provided terms are agreed, the popular Greek cannot be ruled out of regaining his regular first team place at the age of 38.

There are many Boro fans who believe that Konstantopoulos was given a raw deal last season, losing his place to Victor Valdes before a ball was kicked and then being relegated to the No.3 role when Brad Guzan was preferred