Middlesbrough in for Nigel ReoCoker with Aston Villa still keen on Tuncay

21 July 2009 10:16
Middlesbrough's relegation last season means Southgate will have a job on his hands to convince Reo-Coker to drop down a division but believes that the addition of the combative midfielder will add the steel and experience to his side needed to be successful in the Championship. Talks have been ongoing over the last month about striking a £3 million deal with the possibility of using Villa's interest in Turkish striker Tuncay Sanli as leverage, according to a report in the Mirror. Middlesbrough value Tuncay at around £5 million and Reo Coker could be used as a makeweight in a deal that sees the striker follow team-mate Stewart Downing to Villa Park. Villa manager Martin O'Neill spent £12 million on the England winger after offering £15 million for Downing and Tuncay as a pair. O'Neill's continued interest in Tuncay is likely to smooth the Reo-Coker deal along. Southgate believes that it is vital to retain a core of experienced Premier League talent to return the club to the top flight at the first time of asking, though so far his signings have been low key, with Danny Coyne and Mark Yeates arriving on cheap deals. Middlesbrough are also close to signing midfielder Nicky Bailey from Charlton though Reo-Coker, should he join him, would be a major boost to a club that could use some good news after their recent travails.

Source: Telegraph