Boro tee up Tuncay deal
Middlesbrough have made a major transfer breakthrough by agreeing personal terms with Turkey striker Tuncay Sanli.
The 25-year-old forward, who is out of contract with Fenerbahce, will head for Teesside to undergo a medical next week with a view to completing a free transfer switch.
Boro chief executive Keith Lamb said: "Tuncay will travel to Teesside next week to take a medical. He has agreed personal terms and the deal is a free transfer as the player is out of contract."
Tuncay, reportedly a target for Manchester City and Birmingham, began his career at home-town club Sakaryaspor before joining Fenerbahce in 2002, and has scored 59 goals in 154 league games for the Istanbul outfit.
He also scored a Champions League hat-trick against Manchester United in 2004.
A centre forward who can also play on both flanks, he has 13 goals in 43 internationals and will be seen as a replacement for Mark Viduka, who left Boro for north-east rivals Newcastle last week.
The Teessiders, who have agreed a deal to bring Arsenal's Jeremie Aliadiere to the Riverside Stadium, are also being linked with Tuncay's compatriot Gokdeniz Karadeniz, an attacking midfielder from Trabzonspor.
Meanwhile, Boro will ask for extended dispensation for manager Gareth Southgate as he attempts to gain his coaching qualifications.
The 36-year-old has combined his first year in management with his studies for his badges, and recently spent two weeks on a residential course at Lilleshall along with coach Colin Cooper.
Chairman Steve Gibson said: "The FA know our problems and to be fair to them, they have been very helpful and we hope there is not going to be a problem. I cannot say categorically that we do not expect a problem because that's not the case, there could be."
