Leeds United are in another transfer battle with ex-manager Garry Monk as they keep tabs on Everton defender Matthew Pennington, according to the Sunday Mirror.
The print edition of the newspaper (9 July, page 61) claim that both Leeds and Middesbrough are interested in signing the Toffees centre-back Pennington.
The Sunday Mirror report that Hull City are also ready to battle with new United manager Thomas Christiansen and recently appointed Boro boss Monk.
Pennington, 22, has emerged on the Leeds radar as they step up plans to bring in defensive reinforcements.
The former England Under-19 international has been on the books of Everton since 2005 and made nine first-team appearances but has been on loan in recent seasons at Tranmere Rovers, Coventry City and Walsall in League One.
It was reported on Sunday that Wolves centre-back Danny Batth and his full-back teammate Matthew Doherty are also targets for Christiansen as he looks to bring in numbers to his backline.
Kyle Bartley was a mainstay of the defence during an outstanding loan spell at Leeds last season but he is back at parent club Swansea, which leaves Pontus Jansson and Liam Cooper as the only senior central defensive options.