Boro eye options
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Middlesbrough are believed to have made enquiries for Alan Smith and James Beattie.
The Teesside club are looking for striking reinforcements with Mark Viduka gone and Yakubu Aiyegbeni likely to depart.
Boro are ready to deal on Yakubu, with Portsmouth, Aston Villa and West Ham all looking likely mount bids. Portsmouth are already known to have tested Boro's resolve, but a swap deal involving Gary O'Neil has not as yet been agreed - indeed Sean Davis could yet be included instead of, or as well as, his midfield colleague.
With that the North East club are looking elsewhere and are understood to have made a bid for an 'England international', and that player is reported to be Smith.
It is not yet known whether Smith will be leaving Manchester United, but the former Leeds man seems unlikely to be offered a new deal and he has admitted that he will consider his options.
Middlesbrough are just one club thought to have shown an interest with Sunderland, Everton, Tottenham, Aston Villa, Newcastle and Rangers also linked.
Beattie is another said to be under consideration from Boro boss Gareth Southgate and it is reported he has asked counterpart David Moyes about his availability.
From this, it is claimed Everton have responded with an enquiry of their own - asking about Boro's Stewart Downing.
Everton are keen to bolster their left-sided options and obviously feel that the long-term Spurs target could be attracted to Merseyside.
However, with Viduka gone and Yakubu likely to follow - it seems unlikely at this stage that Boro would contemplate allowing Downing to leave. -
Middlesborough really a dumping ground for United.
Cheers.
CK