Middlesbrough Football Club

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

• Ground:Riverside Stadium
• Capacity:35049

Gunners accept Hoyte offer

14 Aug 2008 - 12:24:01

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Middlesbrough have had a bid for Arsenal right-back Justin Hoyte accepted by their Premier League rivals.

Boro are searching for a replacement for Luke Young, who recently joined Aston Villa, with 23-year-old Hoyte their number one target.

Boro chief executive Keith Lamb told the club's official website: "We have agreed a fee with Arsenal and we have now been given permission to speak to Justin, which we will be doing in the next 24 to 48 hours."

England Under-21 international Hoyte has made 67 appearances for the Gunners, while he spent the whole of the 2005-06 campaign on loan with Sunderland.

Boro chairman Steve Gibson had earlier stated: "We have made Arsenal an offer which we feel is fair.

"We're not negotiating and we're not falling out with Arsenal if they don't accept the bid.

"Arsenal are a good club to deal with and we're both doing business the right way. If they accept the bid then great, if not then we move on."