Paul Merson's future at Middlesbrough looks anything but secure this morning despite the best efforts of the manager Bryan Robson to pour oil on troubled Teesside waters.

Last night, after a day of speculation, counter-speculation, denial and counter-denial, it was still unclear whether Merson would be wearing the red of Middlesbrough or the claret and blue of Aston Villa when he returns to domestic football next week.

What is certain is that the 30-year-old utility player will meet Robson immediately upon his return home from Sweden where he is on England duty.

Yesterday it was reported that Merson was to leave Middlesbrough just 13 months after his arrival from Arsenal in a £4.75 million deal. It was claimed that one of the reasons behind his expected departure was a deteriorating personal and professional relationship with Paul Gascoigne.

By lunchtime Robson was informing anyone who would listen that Merson was happy and that talk of him being sold was "sheer rubbish".

But four hours later it became clear that Merson was to be the target, willing or otherwise, of a bid of around £5 million from Villa.