BOURNEMOUTH have moved to offer Lee Tomlin the chance of Premier League football as the uncertainty surrounding the Middlesbrough forward’s future grew over the weekend.

The Northern Echo understands that the top-flight new-boys, who won the Championship last season, have been in touch with Boro and hope to have him on board before this weekend’s opening round of fixtures.

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There is also thought to be interest from Norwich City, who beat Boro in the play-off final in May at Wembley, and Karanka has admitted that players could be sold before the end of the month if the price is right.

Tomlin caused a stir on Saturday when he was pictured on social media driving away from the Riverside Stadium at around the same time as teamsheets were being handed out with his name among the substitutes ahead of the 1-0 win over Spanish side Getafe.

Karanka insisted afterwards that “pain in his stomach” was the reason for Tomlin’s absence.

Regardless of his non-appearance, however, Bournemouth are ready to tempt Boro into making a sizeable profit on the forward who moved from Peterborough for £1.5m 18 months ago.

The Boro head coach did not want to discuss individuals, but did concede that players could leave before the transfer window closes on September 1.

Karanka said: “We are working to bring players in but if some players want to leave and clubs bring the money of a player’s value then there is not a problem. I said a couple of weeks ago about Jordan Rhodes (being unhappy at Blackburn) and I don’t want to have players in my changing room who are unhappy.

“I want to have players in my changing room who are committed to the team, the club, the crowd, with everything. If a player wants to leave and the money is fair then it is not a problem. I don’t think it is likely, but in football you never know.”

The number of clubs to have expressed an interest in Tomlin has grown over the last few months, particularly after suggestions he will find it harder to start matches following the arrivals of Stewart Downing, Diego Fabbrini and Christian Stuani (who is still waiting for international clearance).

Karanka is looking to add more players and Rhodes, the £14m-rated Blackburn forward, is his priority target. He has not given up hope that a deal will be done before the trip to Preston on Sunday. Any cash raised by Tomlin’s sale would strengthen the cause.

“I don’t know what will happen,” said Karanka. “You never know. Sometimes things don’t happen in one month or three weeks and then can happen in a couple of days. We have a good team, a good squad.

“We are working on Jordan and other players. He is not my player so I have enough problems with my own players than to speak about players who are not here now.”

While Tomlin was the notable absentee, Boro ended preparations for the new season by defeating Getafe courtesy of Kike’s third goal in two games. His clinical side-footed finish nine minutes after half-time proved the difference, after a lovely incisive pass from Downing.

The sight of Downing linking so well with lone striker Kike in the No 10 role heartened Karanka, who thinks Boro are showing positive signs at just the right time ahead of the opening weekend of the season.

“A coach always wants more players,” he said. “But I prefer to wait until the last day of the transfer window to see where we are with the squad. September 1 ... then I will say it is the best squad in the league.

“But to be honest I was a little concerned before the game because I didn’t like our performances. The last game against Barnsley, and this one, has filled me with more confidence. I am more pleased. Now more new players are coming and I hope we are OK.

“I am in the position I would like to be. The only bad things are the injuries to Alex Baptiste and Ben Gibson. But we have Dael Fry with us and now Jack Stephens (signed from Southampton on loan). I am very pleased and I hope those players recover as soon as possible.”

Middlesbrough: Konstantopoulos (Mejias 46); Kalas (Nsue 68), Ayala (Stephens 86), Fry (Jackson 86), Friend (Husband 86); Leadbitter (Forshaw 68), Clayton (Carayol 75); Adomah (Wildschut 75), Downing (Fabbrini 68), Reach (Maloney 75); Kike. Subs (all used).

Getafe: Guaita; Alexis, Vergini, Rodriguez (Lafita 63), Suarez; Lacen (Lago 86), Martin; Pedro (Campos 70), Sarabia (Gomez 70), Buendia (Medran 63); Vazquez (Arcas 86). Subs (not used): Megyeri, Bispo, Cala, Alberto, Carbonell, Galan, Mbaka, Gil.