Leeds striker Mark Viduka is poised to begin talks with Middlesbrough over a move to the Riverside next week.
Boro's interest has long been known and they remain the only club to have tabled an official offer for the 28-year-old. Leeds remain in dire need of hard cash to ease their £60million debts and huge wage bill and are hoping they can prise £4million out of any potential buyer.
Boro boss Steve McClaren now heads the queue for Viduka's services and is desperate to land a proven goalscorer, in particular after being rebuffed by Patrick Kluivert. Middlesbrough have also been linked with Aiyegbeni Yakubu but Portsmouth are making efforts to retain his services.
Viduka's 13 goals last season - his lowest total since joining the club from Celtic four years ago - is still four more than managed by Boro's top scorers Juninho and Szilard Nemeth.
Viduka is currently at home in Australia recovering from back and hamstring injuries sustained towards the end of last season
Middlesbrough could lose out again as there is strong interest for Viduka from several other clubs, including Roma and possibly Benfica, although Valencia are now seemingly out of the running following the resignation yesterday of coach Rafael Benitez.
Leeds' are hoping to sell Viduka quickly, as well as other stars such as Dominic Matteo, who is now understood to be interesting Everton, as well as Fulham and Manchester City.