Newcastle United, Brighton, Celtic and Rangers in battle to sign Middlesbrough player | OneFootball

Ajay Matthews could be set to leave Middlesbrough amid Premier League and Scottish Premiership interest

Brentford, Brighton, Newcastle United, Southampton, Celtic and Rangers are all interested in signing Middlesbrough striker Ajay Matthews this summer.

That's according to a report from The Secret Scout, who says that the 18-year-old is likely to leave the Championship club ahead of next season.

Matthews first joined Boro's academy at Under 9's level, and has since worked his way up the ranks at the club.

Last season, a return of 16 goals in 17 starts at youth level even saw the teenager earn two first-team substitute appearances in the Championship for Michael Carrick's side.

Meanwhile, he has also been capped by England at Under-17's level, and it seems as though that progress is now leading to plenty of interest in the teenager with the transfer window open.

Multiple clubs queueing up to sign Middlesbrough striker Ajay Matthews

As per this latest update, Matthews is now set to leave Middlesbrough this summer, and he will not be short of options from elsewhere.

It is claimed that Premier League quartet Newcastle United, Brighton, Brentford and newly promoted Southampton, as well as Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers, are among the clubs who have held talks about the potential signing of the striker.

Indeed, those sides are all said to be hopeful that they will be able to conclude a deal for Matthews over the coming months.

The teenager only signed a two-year professional deal with Middlesbrough last summer, which secures his future at The Riverside Stadium until the end of the 2024/25 season.

That does ensure that Carrick's side will be entitled to compensation from any club who complete the signing of Matthews in this summer's transfer window.

Last season, Middlesbrough ended the campaign eighth in the Championship table, four points adrift of the play-off places.

In terms of incomings this summer, Boro have already made Luke Ayling's loan move from Leeds United permanent.

Meanwhile, Aidan Morris is reportedly now set to join from Columbus Crew, having played his last game for the MLS side over the weekend.

Ajay Matthews exit would be a blow for Middlesbrough

It is hard not to feel as though any departure from The Riverside Stadium for Matthews this summer, will have to be viewed as a disappointment for Boro.

Fans of any club always enjoy the sight of a player who has risen through the youth ranks at the club becoming a regular feature at first-team level.

Matthews certainly looked as though he was on course to do that with Middlesbrough, given his cameos for Carrick's side last season, and excellent return for the academy sides.

However, it now looks as though they could be set to miss out on the chance to really benefit from his abilities, judging by these suggestions of a move elsewhere for the striker this summer.

Indeed, the level of those clubs that are being linked with the teenager, do also seem to suggest that he could have been a major asset for Middlesbrough, had he remained at The Riverside Stadium.