Middlesbrough reject bid for midfielder Azaz

Middlesbrough have rejected a bid for Azaz, who joined the club in January 2024

Middlesbrough boss Rob Edwards has revealed the Teessiders have rejected a bid for coveted midfielder Finn Azaz.

Southampton are understood to have made an offer for Azaz, who scored 12 goals and managed 11 assists in the Championship last season.

Boro paid Aston Villa £2.5m for Azaz in January 2024 after the Republic of Ireland international impressed during two loan spells at Plymouth and feel his value has risen significantly.

Edwards refused to say if Southampton had made the offer and told BBC Radio Tees: "We have rejected a bid from a football club.

"That's as far as I need to go on that. Finn is our player right now and he's up for selection at the weekend."

Azaz, 24, made his first appearance of the season off the bench in last Saturday's win over Millwall and Edwards is solely focused on what he can do against Norwich on Saturday.

"He made a really valuable impact when he came on and he's a very good player," he said.

"We have some very good players here and there is always going to be speculation and people linked, things like that.

"He's made a real impact and he's ready to do the same this weekend."

Edwards urges caution over Nypan

Edwards also urged supporters to give Sverre Nypan time after the talented teenager joined on loan from Manchester City this week.

Nypan is only 18 and Edwards does not want fans to expect too much, too soon from the attacking midfielder.

He has not played since May - for his former club Rosenborg - and Edwards says he has been working hard in training.

"A big thank you to Manchester City and Sverre and his team around him for trusting us with the next step in his development, his journey," Edwards said.

"He's very highly thought of, and we know that. We don't take that responsibility lightly. He will come into our group and hopefully he will impact our season.

"He's a young player and we don't like to put too much pressure on him too soon.

"I want to protect him and make sure we understand he's 18 years old, even though he might not play like that."