MIDDLESBROUGH hope to sign Millwall’s George Saville on loan before a sealing a £7million permanent deal in January.

Boro had a £13m joint bid for the Northern Ireland midfielder, 25, and Lions team-mate Jed Wallace, 24, rejected in the window.

Now the Teessiders are concentrating on signing Saville alone.

The ace scored ten goals and made one assist in all competitions last term.

Millwall paid under £1m for Saville and Wallace before the start of last season.

Lions boss Neil Harris is willing let Sav leave for the Riverside IF he can bring in a replacement.

Harris has made an offer to Sheffield United to sign ex-Southend man Ryan Leonard, 26, on loan with a view to a £750,000 permanent switch in January.

But the Blades have told the Lions they want £1.5m – double what they paid the Shrimpers for him in January.

Boro are unbeaten in the Championship this season and trail only Leeds on goal difference.

Millwall, on the other hand, are 16th with one win in five.