Middlesbrough are open to the possibility of Sheffield United signing Marvin Johnson on a permanent basis, according to reports in the local media.

The Blades signed the winger on a season-long loan back in August and he has gone on to make seven appearances under manager Chris Wilder.

Boro are reportedly keen to offload Johnson with the 28-year-old not in the Teessiders’ first-team plans.

The midfielder was signed for £2.5m from Oxford United under previous coach Garry Monk but current boss Tony Pulis does not see the player as having a future at the Riverside Stadium.

Since joining United, Johnson hasn’t been a first-team regular either, with just one start in the Championship against Birmingham City back in September.

Wilder has chosen to field the player as an impact substitute on a number of occasions, but it remains to be seen whether he will be interested in pursuing the winger in the summer, considering his lack of game time.