Southampton are understood to have made an opening bid for Azaz but the offer didn’t match Boro’s valuation.
Talks are continuing, with Southampton aware of Boro’s asking price, understood to be in the region of £12m.
Azaz joined Boro from Aston Villa for £2.5m in January last year, but there are suggestions this morning the 24-year-old has indicated he is keen on the Southampton move.
Having missed all of pre-season through injury, Azaz made his first appearance of the campaign for Boro when he came off the bench for the final 20 minutes of Saturday’s win at Millwall.
Azaz starred for Boro last term in his only full season at the club, scoring 12 Championship goals and providing 11 assists, a total only bettered by two players in the division.
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That form last season sparked reports early this summer that Leeds, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth were all interested in Azaz, but no bids have been tabled until Southampton made contact this week.
It’s not clear at this stage whether the deal will progress before the weekend, with Boro due to travel to Norwich on Friday ahead of their game at Carrow Road on Saturday. Rob Edwards is speaking to the media this afternoon.
Boro have strengthened in attacking midfield this summer, with Sontje Hansen arriving from NEM Nijmegen.
Sverre Nypan arrived from Manchester City this week and is as comfortable playing at No.10 as he is central midfield.
Morgan Whittaker has started the first two Championship games of the season, while Hayden Hackney played in a more advanced role at Millwall. Boro also have Riley McGree to come back from injury.
