Middlesbrough have been returned to the head of the market in the Championship betting after they continued to splash the cash, this time on Danish ace Martin Braithwaite.

Boro, under new boss Garry Monk, are yet to lose any of the big names that were expected to depart. England’s Ben Gibson, Dutch ace Marten de Roon, Uruguay international Gaston Ramirez and former Barcelona starlet Adama Traore are all still with the club.

Monk has axed some but has also added Jonny Howson and Cyrus Christie from Norwich and Derby respectively.

Boro have now paid out around £9milllion for Braithwaite, and are also in talks to land Nottingham Forest’s Britt Assombalonga.

With that Bookmakers have now moved to make Boro new favourites, going ahead of Aston Villa in the betting.

Villa remain 7/1 but Boro are cut to 13/2 with bet365.

bet365’s Steve Freeth told us: “Boro look the best equipped to make an instant return from the trio.

“There is clear signs of intent from Monk an the board that they don’t intend to hang around too long.”