The Teesside-born defender is out-of-contract at the end of the season and was on Chris Hughton's radar ... fearing he could lose Steven Taylor in the transfer window.
Wheater turns 24 in February, and he is eligible to leave on a Bosman free transfer at the end of the season.
Boro have made it clear they would like him to stay, but they would also be loathed to lose him for nothing and are now ready to sell.
Newcastle was keen to bring him to St James' Park ... but Alan Pardew wants to keep Taylor.