Middlesbrough are on the verge of completing a £3million deal for Birmingham defender Ryan Shotton, which would make room for the Blues to complete a deal for Brentford centre back Harlee Dean.

Reports are suggesting that the 28-year-old is to undergo a medical at Boro this afternoon ahead of completing a move.

Birmingham have made a move for the former Bees skipper, that has been accepted by the club, and the defender is expected to complete his move to the second city in the next 24 hours.

Dean is in the final year of his contract at Griffin Park having first moved to Brentford, originally on loan, in November 2011.

An agreement between club and player has not been forthcoming and the club have opted to cash in by accepting a bid from Harry Redknapp's Blues.