Middlesbrough

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Boro eye Egyptian swoops

Middlesbrough have made bids for Egyptian stars Emad Moteab and Mohamed Shawky, according to sources in North Africa.

The pair - both experienced internationals - play for Egypt double winners Al-Ahly and are amongst the most highly-rated on the continent.

A number of European sides have been linked with moves - but Boro are now reported to have made a double bid worth around £2million.

24-year-old striker Moteab (pictured) is valued at around £1.5million, while midfielder Shawky, 25, would be somewhat cheaper at £500,000 - although some reports suggest Birmingham are also keen on him.

Al-Ahly have confirmed that they are considering an approach from Boro - who are thought to be keen on a trial stint before sealing any permanent move.

"The club will discuss Middlesbrough's offers during the board meeting next week," Ahly's marketing director Adli Al-Qaeyi told Filgoal.

"We will not take any decision regarding both players till the football committee studies the offers."

With Egypt ranked well inside the top-50 of world football by Fifa, there would be no issue with either player receiving a work-permit in order to play in England.

Source: Skysports

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Middlesbrough won't give up on Man Utd's Smith

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate still hopes to convince Manchester United striker Alan Smith to move to Teesside.

He said: "We are still looking to improve the squad.

"We've brought in three quality players this summer and I'm very relaxed about things.

"There are other targets that we are looking to get and I'm sure that come the start of the season we will have strengthened the side even more."

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Young finalising Boro move

Luke Young is having a medical at Middlesbrough ahead of his proposed move from Charlton.

The two clubs reached an agreement on a £2.5million fee for the England full-back last Friday, with Boro beating off competition from a number of clubs.

Young has now travelled to the North East to discuss personal terms and undergo a medical before completing the deal.

The 28-year-old is keen to remain in the Premier League following Charlton's relegation last season and will get his wish with Boro.

Gareth Southgate has been desperate to bring in cover at right-back following the departures of Abel Xavier and Stuart Parnaby.

Young should put pen-to-paper on a contract at The Riverside early this week.

Source: Skysports

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Ban for Boro midfielder

Middlesbrough midfielder Fabio Rochemback will sit out the opening three games of the season.

The Brazilian has picked up a three-match suspension following his sending off in last week's friendly with Hertha Berlin.

Rochemback was shown the red card during the second half of Boro's 1-1 draw in Austria after reacting to a tackle from Hertha's Pal Dardai.

Gareth Southgate said after the game that the club would try to appeal the dismissal in order to free Rochemback from a ban.

But Boro have now confirmed that the former Sporting Lisbon schemer will be missing for the first three games of the campaign.

He will be out of the opening day home clash with Blackburn Rovers on 11th August and the subsequent trips to Wigan Athletic and Fulham.

Source: Skysports

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Young ties up Boro move

Middlesbrough have finalised the signing of Luke Young from Charlton Athletic.

The two clubs agreed on a £2.5million fee last week, with Young having been discussing personal terms at The Riverside.

The full-back passed a medical on Wednesday and has now been officially confirmed as a Middlesbrough player.

Young has signed a four-year contract and he will be presented at a press conference on Friday.

Earlier in pre-season, Charlton manager Alan Pardew admitted that he was prepared to allow the England international to leave The Valley in order to return to the Premier League.

Young joined Charlton in a £3million deal from Tottenham six years ago and he made over 200 appearances for the club.

He signed a new four-year contract last summer, but has now secured a move back to the top flight after The Addicks' relegation.

Source: Skysports

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Man Utd's Smith set for Middlesbrough talks

Manchester United have granted Alan Smith permission to speak with Middlesbrough about a £6 million switch.

The Mirror says Smith has agreed to speak to Boro and may even fly back from the Far East tour early in a bid to sort out his future.

Boro are prepared to pay Smith a huge salary to tempt him into the deal.

They know he is a little reluctant to join and would rather go to Everton.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Middlesbrough offer Man Utd's Smith £60,000-a-week

Middlesbrough hope to win the race for Alan Smith by offering the Manchester United striker a massive contract.

The Mirror says Boro are offering Smith a massive £60,000-a-week contract in a bid to talk him into joining them from Manchester United - and snubbing three Premiership rivals Everton, Aston Villa and Newcastle.

Smith met Gareth Southgate for talks yesterday after Boro's £6million bid was accepted - despite the England star's initial reluctance to head for Teesside.

However, chairman Steve Gibson's cash - and enthusiasm - has put Boro at the head of the race and Smith may be tempted by the drive they are showing while rivals struggle to match the money.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Middlesbrough have suffered a huge blow with the news that Emanuel Pogatetz may require knee surgery.

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Hull City boss Phil Brown has made a club record offer for Middlesbrough defender Chris Riggott.Brown is desperate to strengthen his defence and has made a £1m bid for the former Derby centre-back.

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Carlisle to get Boro starlets

Carlisle United are set to strike a deal with Middlesbrough to take a clutch of their brightest young players on loan.

Boro faced The Cumbrians during pre-season and the Premier League club were impressed with what they saw.

Now Gareth Southgate is set to allow some of his young players to move to Brunton Park over the coming season.

"I had a fantastic conversation with Gareth and his assistant Malcolm Crosby when they came into my office after the game," confirmed Carlisle boss Neil McDonald.

"They were very complimentary about everything concerning the football club, and we have definitely put down a few seeds about him letting us have players on loan if we need them.

"They were impressed, if not surprised, with how well we played, and they were certainly impressed with the pitch.

"All that is a good selling point for a manager if he wants some of his young players to play somewhere for a few months to get some experience. The feedback from Gareth on that front was excellent."

Source: Skysports

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Livingston have snapped up Middlesbrough midfielder Jason Kennedy.The 21 year-old joins Scottish First Division Livi on-loan until January.

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Middlesbrough are making a shock bid to sign Manchester City flop Georgios Samaras.Gareth Southgate is set to sign the Greek striker on loan for the season with a view to a £3million deal next year, says the People.

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YAKUBU WANTS OUT

Yakubu has reportedly stunned Middlesborough by demanding a move just days before the new Premier League season starts.

The Nigerian forward has been linked with a move to Everton and the Daily Mail are reporting that the £10million-rated striker now wants to leave the Riverside Stadium.

Boro chairman Steve Gibson has blocked the former Portsmouth player's attempt to leave Boro and has insisted Yakubu sees out the remaining three years of his contract.

Yakubu's apparent desire to leave Teeside has come to light less than a week after Boro' manager Gareth Southgate had a meeting with the striker where the Nigerian declared he was content to stay at Middlesborough.

Football365.com - YAKUBU WANTS OUT - All The News - Football365 News

This would be a massive blow for Boro. Replacing Viduka with Aliadiere was bad enough but if they loose Yakubu I can see them struggling big time this season.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Agreed.Boro will be left out with options up front and who will score the goals?That's the real issue.