A ROUND-UP of Boro gossip in the press and other media over recent days... 

Wednesday

Skysports.com: "Middlesbrough and Newcastle are set for a fresh transfer battle as they both head the race for Gokdeniz Karadeniz. The 27-year-old has spent his whole career with Trabzon and is one of the most highly-rated midfielders in his homeland, and has over 30 international caps to his name."

Northern Echo: "Middlesbrough are closing in on two Turkey internationals. Boro chief executive Keith Lamb was in Istanbul yesterday having contract talks with Fenerbahce striker Tuncay Sanli and Trabzonspor midfielder Karadeniz Gokdeniz and negotiations are thought to have gone well"

Daily Star: "The appeal of following in the footsteps of close pay Emre and the fact Tuncay has already held talks with Keith Lamb make Boro favourites to pip Villarreal, Olympiakos and Birmingham."

Daily Mail: "As a free agent, Tuncay's talks are likely to start at £30,000 a week and rising, and with Birmingham and Everton keen on the Turkey international too, Boro will have to act quickly and decisively"

Mirror: "Boro are ready to offer wingers James Morrison and Adam Johnson in a bid to win the race for West Brom's Diomansy Kamara. Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate wants the Senegal striker but is reluctant to meet a £5m asking price. Albion chief Tony Mowbray, who is resigned to losing Kamara with Birmingham also interested, is keen on Boro's homegrown fringe wide men"

Daily Mail: "Gibson is less certain about the outcome of the row between Sheffield United, West Ham and the Premier League. Ten years ago Middlesbrough were the victims of an FA decision to deduct them three points for failing to fulfil a fixture. It cost them their Premiership status. Gibson said: "What happened to us 10 years ago is dad and buried and we have moved on. I don't know all the facts but if I were Sheffield United I would take it as far as I can because you are duty-bound to your manager, players and fans." (It was the Premier League, not the FA, who deducted three points from Boro)

Yesterday

Mirror: "Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who was released by Charlton at the end of the season, has been linked with Vitesse Arnhem, Feyenoord and Levski Sofia. "I am considering the offer from Levski very seriously," he said. "Playing in the Champions League will be a privilege for me."

Mirror: "Boro are favourites to sign Diomansy Kamara who has asked West Brom for a transfer and sparked a four-club chase for his £4m signature. Senagelese striker Kamara put his request in writing yesterday because he wants out of the Championship - after Albion rejected offers from Fulham and Birmingham. Scottish Champions Celtic are also in the hunt, but Boro are still favourites, although Gareth Southgate will not pay much more than the £3m fee that Albion rejected from Birmingham."

Sky Sports: Middlesbrough have missed out on Mustapha Riga after he penned a new and improved contract with Levante.

Tuesday

Sky Sports: Middlesbrough have missed out on Mustapha Riga after he penned a new and improved contract with Levante.

Mirror: Turkeys's top striker Tuncay Sanli could be heading for Middlesbrough on a free transfer. Boro chief executive Keith Lamb has flown to Istanbul to meet the forward, who is quitting Fenerbahce at the end of his contract and wants to come to England.

Sky Sports: Middlesbrough are reportedly lining up a move for AZ Alkmaar defender Gretar Steinsson. Reports emanating from Holland suggest Boro have contacted AZ over the availability of Icelandic right-back Steinsson.

Internet reports: MK Dons are putting star man Izale McLeod up for sale for at least £1m. Premiership clubs Birmingham, Manchester City and Middlesbrough are among McLeod's admirers.

Monday

Skysports: Skysports.com understands that Turkish star Tuncay Sanli is ready to move to England, and Middlesbrough are battling Birmingham for his signature. A host of clubs from around Europe have made offers to the Fenerbahce forward, who is out of contract at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium. A delegation from the Teesside club is believed to have flown to Istabul in a bid to pursuade him to move to the North East.

Evening Gazette: Dutch international striker Romeo Castelen is being targeted as the replacement for Mark Viduka. The 24-year-old Feyenoord player is said to be available for around £6m. This may be more than Boro's current valuation, which suggests that some tough negotiations lie ahead before there is a chance of a deal being struck.

Daily Star: Yakubu has become Portsmouth's top transfer target after Harry Rednapp lost out to Newcastle for the Nigerian's strike partner Mark Viduka. Pompey had a £10m offer rejected in January but are ready to try again.

Mirror: Harry Redknapp has made Yakubu his top target after missing out on his Middlesbrough strike partner Mark Viduka.

Sunday

People: Rising star Kerlon is on the brink of joining Middlesbrough from Cruzeiros. The striker has been dubbed the next Ronaldinho and was top scorer at the South American U17 Championship in 2005.

People: Middlesbrough's move for Diomansy Kamara is being held up by a row between two leading agents over his signature. Boro cannot complete the deal because Wille McKay and Jerome Anderson are both claiming he is their client.

Internet reports: Chief executive Keith Lamb is believed to have flown out to Spain in a bid to complete a deal for Levante right-winger Mustapha Riga.

Internet reports: Boro could scupper Armenia Bielefeld's bid to sign South Africa international goalkeeper Rowen Fernandez from Kaiser Chiefs.

Saturday

Guardian: West Brom appear resigned to losing Diomansy Kamara. Middlesbrough are favourites to sign the Snegal international and have also expressed an interest in the Charlton Athletic and England full-back Luke Young but face competition from Newcastle and Sunderland.

Last week

Mirror: Middlesbrough are aiming to fill the gap in their strikeforce by landing Fulham's Collins John. John, 21, has struggled to make an impact in Fulham's first team but is still valued at £3.2m.

Northern Echo: The agent of Middlesbrough transfer target Jose Bosingwa last night claimed that the full-back was being priced out of a move to the Premiership by his current employers at Porto. "Five million euros (£3.3m) is ridiculous money for Bosingwa," he said.

Yorkshire Post: Sheffield United star Phil Jagielka is a £5m transfer target for Middlesbrough. The Teessiders will hold talks with the England B international in the next few days and Blades manager Bryan Robson is already resigned to the departure of his prized asset. Everton, Wigan and Birmingham City are also interested.