Middlesbrough manager Tony Mowbray has confirmed that Swansea have made an approach about Matthew Bates.
But Mowbray will not sell captain on the cheap
Middlesbrough manager Tony Mowbray has confirmed that Swansea have made an approach about captain Matthew Bates but he will not accept a cut-price deal.
Skysports.com revealed on Monday that Brendan Rodgers' Premier League new-boys were interested in the defender, who has just one year left on his contract.
But Bates is an integral part of Mowbray's first team and he has no intention of selling his skipper on the cheap.
"I have spoken to Brendan," Mowbray is quoted as saying in the Northern Echo after Tuesday night's Marvin Emnes-inspired Carling Cup win at Walsall. "He has inquired.
"Matthew is our player. The bottom line is that Matthew is my captain, it would take a great offer for me to let my captain go. We will see.
"Matthew has to get his head right. If there is a deal to be done, it has to be right for our club. We are also aware of his contractual situation, in to his last year."
Meanwhile, Mowbray is continuing his loan interest in PSV Eindhoven's Orlando Engelaar, who can play in defence or midfielder, but does not know if it will be possible to get his man.
"We have a few things moving along," he said. "Engelaar is a good player at a top club, whether we can do something there I don't know."
