Middlesbrough set for major coup by beating Spurs and Fulham to defender Craig Dawson

Coup: Craig Dawson is considered one of the country's brightest young defensive prospectsGordon Strachan is ready to pull off a transfer coup by beating Tottenham and Fulham to the signature of Rochdale defender Craig Dawson, 20. Boro have agreed a deal of around £750,000, rising to £2m, for the former Manchester City trainee. He is rated as one of the best young defenders in the country and played a pivotal role in the League Two club's promotion. There be a second blow for Spurs, too, as Andros Townsend nears a loan move to Ipswich. Town boss Roy Keane wants the England U19 left winger at Portman Road for the whole season.Townsend - a product of the White Hart Lane academy - has already been on loan at Yeovil, Leyton Orient and MK Dons in the past year. Fulham eye Bristol City hot-shot Nicky Maynard in £3.25million dealBirmingham set sights on £8m Fulham star Bobby Zamora after Alex McLeish releases Christian Benitez West Ham eye Birmingham reject Christian Benitez after Blues back out of permanent dealFULHAM FC

Source: Daily_Mail