Middlesbrough Football Club News

• Nickname:Boro
• Founded:1876
• Manager:Tony Mowbray

• Ground:Riverside Stadium
• Capacity:35,049

Boro target Smith swoop

28 Jul 2007 - 10:48:59

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Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is hopeful of being able to persuade Manchester United striker Alan Smith to move to the Riverside.

Southgate is finally set to hold talks with Smith, several weeks after Boro agreed a fee with the Old Trafford club, with the England international having been away on holiday before taking part in United's pre-season tour of China.

"It's a situation that we are monitoring very closely," Southgate said.

"It's apparent that his future at Manchester United isn't certain and he falls into the category of being a quality player and a good character. That is of course someone who would interest us.

"I think the situation is that he understandably wants to stay and fight for a place at Manchester United. Nothing else entered his mind over the last couple of weeks.

"Now it would appear that that situation is changing by the day, so if he wants to move on, obviously the mindset changes."

Smith, 26, joined the Red Devils for £7million from Leeds United in the summer of 2004, but has seen his Old Trafford career stall after several major injury setbacks.

He has scored 12 goals in 93 games for the reigning Premier League champions.