Source: Northern_Echo
McManus priority
MIDDLESBROUGH are braced for a period of hard bargaining with three of Gordon Strachan's top targets holding price tags which could price them out of a move to the Riverside Stadium.[LNB] Boro showed a couple of weeks ago that they do have cash to spend this summer when they made a £2m offer for Scunthorpe striker Gary Hooper.[LNB] But a deal for the Championship hot-shot is far from certain, with Leeds United among the other contenders for his signature, even though Hooper has had talks with the Teessiders.[LNB] Strachan has an extensive list of players he would like to attract to the North-East, but he has told chief executive Keith Lamb that Stephen Mc- Manus is a priority.[LNB] Following the departures of defenders Emanuel Pogatetz and Chris Riggott, the need for McManus to complete a permanent switch after last season's successful loan has become more pressing. But Celtic, who have told the player his wish to join Strachan full-time can happen, are demanding a fee of around £2.5m as new boss Neil Lennon looks to raise his own funds.[LNB] With Burnley also raising the stakes for another of Middlesbrough's top targets, Hearts winger Andrew Driver, Lamb is facing a crucial period in his attempts to land the players the manager wants.[LNB] Burnley, who have money available following relegation from the Premier League after being sensible during their spell in the top-flight, tabled an offer of £1.5m for Driver last week. Hearts are holding out for nearer to £3m for the talented winger.[LNB] Strachan also maintains an interest in Dundee United's Craig Conway and Peterbough United's George Boyd.[LNB] Meanwhile former boss Gareth Southgate has played down reports linking him with Portsmouth job.[LNB] Southgate said: "I have been told that my name was mentioned in the papers regarding the Portsmouth job, but I am not taking it too seriously."[LNB]
