Middlesbrough have become the first club to meet Manchester United's £6m valuation for Alan Smith and hope to persuade the England striker to fill the void left by Mark Viduka's departure to Newcastle United. Gareth Southgate, the Middlesbrough manager, now hopes the prospect of regular first-team football will convince Smith to leave the Premier League champions.
Smith has indicated he wants to stay at Old Trafford but the forward is aware that he will play only a peripheral role in Sir Alex Ferguson's plans next season. Smith and his adviser, Alex Black, were dismayed when they approached the club at the end of the season to ask for a contract extension, as had been previously mooted, and they were informed that one would not be forthcoming.
Today's Mirror again reports that United have accepted the bid from Boro.