Boro facing a three-way battle to sign Sidwell

2:03am Friday 16th May 2008

MIDDLESBROUGH hope to be given the go-ahead from Chelsea to open negotiations with Steve Sidwell, although Gareth Southgate faces strong competition from Everton and Aston Villa.

The former Reading midfielder is keen to stay at Stamford Bridge, but would be willing to move on if Blues boss Avram Grant accepts an offer.

And Southgate - ready to name Emanuel Pogatetz as his captain next season - has instructed chairman Steve Gibson to make Middlesbrough's interest in Sidwell known, particularly following the departure of two of the club's highest paid players.

Having chosen not to renew the contracts of Fabio Rochemback and Gaizka Mendieta - at a combined saving of a reputed £100,000-a-week in wages - there is a need to bring in at least one new midfielder.

And Southgate has made Sidwell, rated at around £4m, his priority this summer.

Boro, having finished in the bottom half of the table, would have to use their powers of persuasion to claim the 25-year-old's signature ahead of Aston Villa and Everton.

"With Fabio gone, midfield is a priority," Southgate, aware that Sunderland are also likely to try to lure Sidwell to the North-East.

It is paramount the Middlesbrough manager keeps his options open. Even if he acquires Sidwell, he could lose George Boateng.

The Dutchman still has a year left on his contract but, after talks with Southgate, the player has been left to think about his future before pre-season training in July.

He could have joined Celtic and Tottenham in January. Southgate, though, would like Boateng to stick around.

"George expected to be first choice when he came back last summer and that was not really the case," said Southgate, who denied any interest in signing Alan Smith from Newcastle. "But he knows that if he is still here next season he is an important member of the squad.

"It's up to him whether he wants to be part of the squad or whether he wants a guarantee of first team football. There's no guarantee that he will be in the side but there's no guarantee that he won't be.

"He wants to go away and think about it. If he walks back through the door I will be happy because he is an important member of the squad."

Southgate also confirmed there has been no movement on Mark Schwarzer's situation, with the Australian weighing up his options as the June 30 expiry date on his contract nears.

Schwarzer, on Teesside for 11 years, has an offer to become Juventus' second choice goalkeeper. Southgate, confident Ross Turnbull and Brad Jones could step up to replace him, said: "We are in talks with Mark. We're hopeful. He has a couple of options."

With Southgate's work on a summer recruitment drive in full swing, he is on the verge of making his first major decision for next season already.

Having tested numerous players with the captaincy during his two seasons in charge, he is 95 per cent certain that Pogatetz will be afforded the role on a permanent basis.

"He's proud to play for the club," said Southgate. "He may not be from the area but he's proud of the club. He wants to help us push forward."

Boro have announced a pre-season trip to Portugal. Southgate's men will take part in the Algarve Challenge Cup, along with Celtic, Cardiff and Vitoria Guimaraes. The games are yet to be confirmed, although the matches will take place on July 22 and July 24.

Boro will also make trips to York (July 18), Carlisle (July 29), Hibernian (August 2) and Darlington (August 5).

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