Newcastle have been in talks with Liverpool to take the 20-year-old winger on loan this summer – but both clubs cannot agree on terms of the deal.
Toon manager Rafa Benitez is in the market to strengthen his squad ahead of Newcastle’s return to the Premier League next season.
But Sky Sports claim Newcastle look set to miss out on Ojo, with their north east rivals Middlesbrough now said to be in pole position for his services.
Boro are keen to secure an immediate return to top-flight football after suffering relegation last season – and manager Garry Monk has wasted no time at all in the transfer window.
Monk arrived at the Riverside Stadium last month and has already recruited midfielder Jonny Howson from Norwich and defender Cyrus Christie from Derby.
And Liverpool youngster Ojo looks set to become Boro’s third signing of the summer.
Ojo, who made his senior debut for Liverpool in January 2016, was limited to just two FA Cup appearances last season due to injury.
And Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp reportedly wants Ojo to spend next term away from the Reds to gain regular game time – something he’s unlikely to achieve at Anfield.
The former MK Dons youngster has previous experience in the Championship, making 30 appearances on loan at Wolves and Wigan between 2015 and 2016.
Ojo joining Boro will be another blow to Benitez at Newcastle this summer, with the Spaniard admitting today that the club are struggling to complete in a “crazy” transfer market.
“It’s not easy for a lot of teams because the market is a little bit crazy. We have to try to do our best,” Benitez said.
“The top sides have a lot of money. The other teams are spending too, but we will see what we can do.
“We know where we are – that is not ideal because everybody wants to see a lot of players signing already, but we have to keep working and see what we can do.
“We can do nothing other than just keep working to find the players that we want, and hopefully we can do it.”
