Middlesbrough took up an option on defender Djed Spence’s contract before he joined Nottingham Forest on loan.
The in-demand right-back has another two years left to run on his deal at the Riverside Stadium, with potential suitors likely to have to splash out a significant sum if they want to snap him up in the summer.
Spence has been in outstanding form for the Reds since signing on loan from Boro last summer, with his display against Leicester City in the FA Cup on Sunday another superb showing.
