United boss Peter Houston has confirmed that Boro manager Gordon Strachan, whose initial offer for Rochdale defender Craig Dawson was labelled disrespectful over the weekend, has been in touch over the availability of a few of his players, Conway included.
But the Scottish Premier League club are keen to keep him on Tayside, with manager Peter Houston using Boro midfielder Willo Flood as an example of why Conway should not leave.
When Flood opted against a permanent switch to Dundee after an impressive 18-month loan by joining Celtic instead, the Irishman spent a year on the periphery at Parkhead before moving to Teesside in January.
Houston is suggesting the same could be on the cards for Conway, if the 25-year-old takes the decision to move after firing the Tangerines to the Scottish Cup.
What happened to Willo should serve as a timely reminder,
said Houston. I know the lure of Celtic for a Dublin boy was just too much for wee Willo.
But from talking to him all the time I soon realised that within three months of going to Celtic, he would have much rather stayed at Tannadice.
He took a step back joining Celtic from United where he was playing first-team football.
He had to learn the hard way. Personally, I would rather play for Dundee United than Celtic reserves.
Conway, for his part, is still learning the game. For me, it wouldn't be stupid for him to stay here for another year to progress even further.
Strachan, who would like to do a deal for Conway that also includes his team-mates Morgaro Gomis and Gary Kenneth, wants to make progress on the transfer front before pre-season training on June 28.
And Houston confirmed: Gordon did phone me to mention the fact that he liked a couple of our players. I won't mention the players. Gordon said he was going to be talking to his board and, if he gets the money he is looking for, one or two of our players might be on his radar.'' Dale defender Dawson remains in his sights, but the League One club have reaffirmed an intention to play hardball.
Boro's offer of £400,000 was rejected two weeks ago for Dawson, rated at nearer £1m and Dale will be forced to pay 15 per cent off any fee to former club Radcliffe Borough.
Rochdale boss Keith Hill said: It was done very disrespectfully.
What everybody has got to respect and realise is the fact Craig Dawson has signed a three-year contract.
We would not stand in anybody's way of developing, but there has to be respect and a valuation met on this club's behalf.
There is no way anyone is going to prise a lever between ourselves and Craig Dawson.
The chairman will not stand in his way if the financial valuation is met, but I feel Middlesbrough have been disrespectful.
It's often the case that the bigger fish feel they have a divine right to acquire players for whatever sum they expect to pay.
We're talking about business here and there is a lot of skulduggery, things not done in quite the proper manner.
Boro goalkeeper Brad Jones, meanwhile, hopes to face Denmark in Johannesburg tomorrow to further his claims for a place in Australia's World Cup squad.
With Mark Schwarzer nursing a thumb problem, Socceroos boss Pim Verbeek has not been prepared to risk him.
Jones, who impressed more in his 45 minutes against New Zealand last week, said: Mark coming up to his second World Cup, which plenty of people would be envious of.
The number of caps he's won, he's got to go down as one of the all-time greats.
But it's just a case of trying to show what I can do in training and hoping. Mark's ticket is already booked, I think.
Source: Northern Echo
Source: Northern Echo