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Ashley Phillips' expected unveiling as a Middlesbrough signing has at least been put on hold. The 21-year-old centre-half had reportedly agreed personal terms at the Riverside after Boro and Tottenham had thrashed out an agreement over a £7 million fee potentially rising to £20m. But news broke on Teesside on Sunday that the move had been paused "with some elements of the proposed transfer still to be completed". The Northern Echo insisted that the deal was not yet off but "all parties are considering their options". The Daily Mail has speculated on Monday that "issues emerged with a medical" at Rockliffe Park - and Boro might now instead pursue an initial loan agreement. Phillips became a fans' favourite during two seasons on loan at Stoke City, but Spurs' demands meant that any thought of moving for him for a third summer in a row remained on the back burner. Stoke have instead brought in Luke Graham from Dundee, while Bosun Lawal is hoping for a fit, full season in the middle of defence. Ben Wilmot, Maksym Talovierov and Ben Gibson make for a full department with three weeks remaining in the window. FOLLOW OUR FACEBOOK PAGE! Latest Stoke City news, analysis and more via the Sentinel Sheffield United 'make improved bid' for Harry Souttar On the theme of big defenders, the Sheffield Star claims that Sheffield United have returned with an improved bid for former Stoke centre-half Harry Souttar. There has been talk that money raked in by selling Gus Hamer back to Coventry would give the Blades the funds to pay Leicester's £10m asking price for Souttar - but the South Yorkshire press instead claims those funds, plus money from the sale of Andre Brooks to Norwich, will go to balancing the books. Chris Wilder did not mention Souttar by name but said: “We put a bid in for a player. So, that's positive. And I think we've got to understand, it's a different landscape for the football club now. It's the first year without parachute payments as well. So, that makes a big difference and we have to cut our cloth accordingly, and we have to be smart. It's a difficult one because we've missed out on some decent free transfers. “So, that's disappointing. But we have to move on and that's part and parcel of the job. We have to accept that and try to get the best out of what we can do.” It remains to be seen if Leicester's Souttar stance changes after it emerged Ben Nelson would miss most of the season with an ACL injury. Tom Cannon in suitors' sights Staying with Sheffield United and Tom Cannon, also formerly of this parish, is again being linked with a summer exit. Cannon scored 10 in half a season on loan at Stoke in 2024/25, but he was in and out of the team at Bramall Lane after making a mid-term switch, and then only started 19 times last season. The 23-year-old has seven goals in 55 appearances in all for Sheff Utd, including 29 starts. The Sun's Alan Nixon claims that Preston North End are on alert about his potential availability. Cannon scored eight in 20 league appearances during his time on loan at Deepdale in 2023. Nixon also suggests that Stoke "may come in" for the forward. Cannon started a 3-0 win in the Carabao Cup at Mansfield on Saturday while fellow former Stoke striker Tyrese Campbell was left on the bench. It has been a trick pre-season for Campbell and Wilder said recently: "Ty's worked away remotely. I need to get him into a physical condition where we can get repeated runs, because that's what we want from the top of the pitch." Ipswich update on Harry Clarke Talk of Harry Clarke returning to Stoke was clearly premature and the Ipswich press report "an issue highlighted at the medical stage". Clarke was left out of Ipswich's friendly against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday and new boss Gary O'Neil told the Ipswich Star: "Obviously Harry Clarke wasn't with us today. The same with him. We're going to support him and get him ready to play. "This is what football's like. Like with Wes Burns, who went the other day (a transfer to Leicester), that wasn't expected really and came out of the blue. So things can change quickly. "But while they're here, they get our full support. Harry trained this morning. He's an excellent professional and has worked unbelievably hard since I've been here. Let's see what happens over the next few weeks. We've got lots of players. I'm sure there will be some outs. And I'm sure there'll be some ins." Ipswich's former Stoke loan striker Ali Al-Hamadi has had a move to Polish club Rakow Czestochowa also fall through. The Polish media has claimed "concerns about a cardiac issue". Southampton look for Divin intervention Divin Mubama is reportedly close to sealing a loan move to Southampton. Mubama spent last season on loan at Stoke, derailed by form and then injury. The 21-year-old ended up making 20 starts and six substitute appearances in the Championship, scoring five times, including a well-taken hat-trick against Bristol City. He has been playing for Manchester City in friendlies through pre-season while they wait for World Cup players to return to club duties. What do you think? Click HERE to join the debate