Middlesbrough Summer Transfers....

[ERIMUS]

aka s***t

I have great respect for Ian Hollyway and what he has done at the club, but I think Davies is much better than that.

QPR have agreed a fee for Andrew Davies.

[ERIMUS]

We're going to need a new centre back in the summer to partner Chris Riggott.

Ugo Ehiogu = Finished at Boro IMHO, injured too often and not up to the level anymore

Gareth Southgate = Showing his age and has messed up quite a lot lately

Colin Cooper = Solid but at 38 he's near retirement and unable to keep up at times

Matthew Bates = Inexperienced

David Wheater = Too young and inexperienced

[gaijin]

Maybe I was later harsh on QPR........

I would have prefered a long term loan deal for him though. Maybe the end of this one and the whole of the next one.

If by then, he has failed to impress then I guess we should be prepared to sell him.

I just think its a shame, we are getting rid of a potentially good CB.

I kinda agree about Southgate, the defence is starting to look dodgy at the mo.

We have to get a World Class defender and really splash the cash on someone good.

[nirvaanfc]

NICOLA LEGROTTAGLIE
Italy
Juventus (on loan at Bologna)

Seems to be in Capello's doghouse, a very good defender, maybe be able to be signed on the cheap but certainly one worth a look. He could easily find himself a top 20 centreback in EPL!

[ERIMUS]

Carlo Nash has left Boro for Preston North End

[ERIMUS]

Yakubu coming to Boro hopefully this summer :)

[rockymtn_mike]

here are two from BBC.com

Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren has launched a bid to sign England star Owen Hargreaves from Bayern Munich. (Daily Mirror)

Tottenham are confident of signing Stewart Downing from Middlesbrough for £6m. (The Times)

[Boro_lad]

6million for a very promising english left winger who is only 20. RIGHT OK SPURS. he is worth more than 2x that amount to us if he signs his new contract which he has said he will. Why leave your home town club in europe to go to a team not in europe makes perfect sense. Boro rejected the bid instantly and told spurs not to pursue any kind of follow up bid.

From http://www.mfc.co.uk

CHIEF EXECUTIVE Keith Lamb today revealed that Boro have rejected an unwelcome bid from Tottenham for winger Stewart Downing.

Following similar comments from manager Steve McClaren recently, Lamb also reiterated the message that the 20-year-old England international is not for sale.

Lamb said: "We have had an approach from Tottenham regarding Stewart and they did make an unsolicited offer for him.

"We rejected the offer immediately. They were told that he wasn't for sale and that they should not pursue the matter any further.

"As a consequence, Tottenham have told us that they have no further interest in Stewart.

"We want to make it absolutely clear that Stewart isn't for sale, as he is a major part of Steve McClaren's plans as we look to build on our second successive season of UEFA Cup football."

Having enjoyed an outstanding 2004-05 campaign culminating in his first England cap, Downing has naturally caught the attention of the football world.

But boss Steve McClaren told mfc.co.uk recently: "There is no way Stewart is for sale.

"He is a big part of my plans next season and beyond. This is his hometown club, he loves it here and the fans love him. This is the place for him to continue to develop as he has done over the past year or so.

"After the season he's had, it's understandable that he will be linked with other clubs, but I aim to keep all our best players - and Stewart is clearly one of those.

"He was tremendous for us last season, playing a key role in the League and in Europe. He broke into the England squad as a result of his excellent form for Middlesbrough.

"He will be just as important for us again in the new season - more so if he continues to improve."

Downing himself has also told us he has no intention of going anywhere and is fully focused on his future at the Riverside.

"The only thing I'm thinking about is helping Boro have another great season," he said.

"I've ignored all the speculation and the fans can too. I'm committed to staying with Boro. I'm a local lad and wouldn't be interested in moving."

He confirmed he is in negotiations with the club over improved terms on his current contract, which is not due to run until the summer of 2008.

"I'm having discussions over improving my contract," he said. "These things obviously take a little bit of time, but it's not about me wanting to leave. I love it here."

Downing marked his first full Premiership campaign with an England debut against Holland.

He also scooped the Players' Player of the Year award, the 888.com Player of the Year award, the Community Player of the Year award and the mfc.co.uk Man of the Season award.

Although his hopes of adding to his caps tally were dashed by a knee injury suffered in training during England's United States tour, he underwent successful surgery and is confident of being fit in time for the new season.

[gaijin]

You gotta feel sorry for Spurs fans.

It really is an insult to them... The board should be ashamed. It doesn't highlight ambition it showcases stupidity.

They were never going to suceed in buying him for that much. I doubt any Spurs fan believe they could buy him and for that derisory amount.

What next? A £3m bid for Ronaldinho?

All talk. No action. I think we should launch a £4m bid for Defoe, just to piss them off.

[Big Boss]

NICOLA LEGROTTAGLIE

super defender

[gaijin]

super defender

Definetly a good pick-up on FM2005. ;) :)

[Big Boss]

what about appiah !!

BORO need big name in md ..i think need Peter Luccin player with ATLK madrid ..

he is very good passing and strong modified ..

zenden go to liverpool !!

[gaijin]

Is Appiah attack minded?

We really need a out and out attacking midfielder. Unless Mendi gets pushed forward...

[ERIMUS]

Well im back from my 2 weeks in Florida, unfortunately it always seems to be when im on holiday that a big player leaves Boro, Zenden has joined Liverpool. Oh well

[ERIMUS]

Boro are in talks with Rangers over Peter Lovenkrands

[nirvaanfc]

Peter Lovenkrands
Danish winger, would be the perfect foil for Stewart Downing!

A very good idea!

[ERIMUS]

Reports are that Lovenkrands will sign today for £600,000

[gaijin]

£600k is very nice.... :)

[ERIMUS]

Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren is reported to have cooled his interest in Danish international Peter Lovenkrands.

The Rangers winger has been training with Boro over the past few days and looked likely to seal a £600,000 move to The Riverside.

However, McClaren has seemingly decided to look elsewhere.

"Peter has been down training with us for a couple of days, he's a good lad," said McClaren,

"However, he has returned north of the border as we do not intend doing anything at present regarding him."

[ERIMUS]

Speculation today is that Boro have agreed a £1m fee with Lazio for French midfielder Dabo.