Tottenham are closing in on Middlesbrough defender Jonathan Woodgate after being given permission to talk to him.

It is understood Spurs' pursuit of the 28-year-old England international has taken a significant step forward as the January transfer window enters its final week.

Woodgate was linked with former club Newcastle earlier this week, but the Londoners have now emerged as the front-runners in the race for his signature.

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate, backed by chief executive Keith Lamb, said yesterday no bids had been received for any of his players amid mounting speculation over Woodgate and winger Stewart Downing.

However, with time running down ahead of next Thursday's deadline, Tottenham now appear to have made their move.

Ironically, Southgate has spent the last few weeks expecting an approach from White Hart Lane for Downing, who is understood to have held talks with chairman Steve Gibson yesterday.

The North London club's interest in the 23-year-old England midfielder is well-known and long-standing.

However, it emerged earlier this month that Woodgate too was in their sights, and they will hope their move is decisive.

The 28-year-old is currently sidelined by a shin problem, but after a superb campaign on loan from Real Madrid last season, which won him a £7million permanent switch to the Riverside Stadium, a combination of niggling injuries have hampered his efforts to reproduce that form this time around.

With David Wheater having emerged from the club's Academy, £6million signing Robert Huth finally fully fit, Emanuel Pogatetz having proved his worth and Matthew Bates fighting his way back from long-term injury, Boro have cover in central defence.

That is something Southgate has insisted he must have if is to consider allowing a player to leave the club.

He said: "We wouldn't let anybody go unless we thought we were suitably covered in that position or had somebody else coming in who we thought could replace the player that was going."  PA