Sun 24th May - Upton Park
Last updated: 3rd July 2008
Porto have jumped to the front of the queue to sign Austria striker Roland Linz, skysports.com understands.
The 26-year-old forward endured a disappointing Euro 2008 with the co-hosts, but interest in him remains strong after hitting double figures in his last two league campaigns with Braga and Boavitsa.
Fulham, Middlesbrough and West Ham had all checked on the Braga man, but he now looks set to stay in Portugal with a move to one of the country's big-hitters.
A move to Porto would see the player link up with his former Boavista manager Jesualdo Ferreira.
However, it is believed Linz would still favour a move to England with agency FN Sports confirming his desire to test himself in the Premier League.
"Porto would be a great move for Roland, it is a very exciting prospect for him to work with Ferreira again, but the Premiership remains the dream move," an FN Sports spokesman told skysports.com.
"We are still talking to two clubs in England so we will see what develops."

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| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Wednesday 22nd July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:30 | Dumbarton vs Middlesbrough |
| Saturday 25th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 15:00 | Carlisle vs Middlesbrough |
| Wednesday 29th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 19:30 | Darlington vs Middlesbrough |
| Friday 7th August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 20:00 | Middlesbrough vs Sheff Utd |
| Saturday 15th August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Swansea vs Middlesbrough |
| Tuesday 18th August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Scunthorpe vs Middlesbrough |
| Saturday 22nd August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Middlesbrough vs Doncaster |
| Saturday 29th August | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Bristol City vs Middlesbrough |
| Saturday 12th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Middlesbrough vs Ipswich |
| Tuesday 15th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Sheff Wed vs Middlesbrough |
| Saturday 19th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Middlesbrough vs West Brom |
| Saturday 26th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Coventry vs Middlesbrough |
| Tuesday 29th September | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 19:45 | Middlesbrough vs Leicester |
| Saturday 3rd October | |
| The Coca-Cola Football League Championship | |
| 15:00 | Reading vs Middlesbrough |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 24th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| West Ham 2 - 1 Middlesbrough | |
| Saturday 16th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Middlesbrough 1 - 1 Aston Villa | |
| Monday 11th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Newcastle 3 - 1 Middlesbrough | |
| Saturday 2nd May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Middlesbrough 0 - 2 Man Utd | |
| Sunday 26th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Arsenal 2 - 0 Middlesbrough | |
| Saturday 18th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Middlesbrough 0 - 0 Fulham | |
| Saturday 11th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Middlesbrough 3 - 1 Hull | |
| Saturday 4th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Bolton 4 - 1 Middlesbrough | |
| Saturday 21st March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Stoke 1 - 0 Middlesbrough | |
| Saturday 14th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Middlesbrough 1 - 1 Portsmouth | |
| Sunday 8th March | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Everton 2 - 1 Middlesbrough | |
| Wednesday 4th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Tottenham 4 - 0 Middlesbrough | |
| Saturday 28th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Middlesbrough 2 - 0 Liverpool | |
| Wednesday 25th February | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Middlesbrough 2 - 0 West Ham | |
| Saturday 21st February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Middlesbrough 0 - 0 Wigan | |
| Saturday 14th February | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| West Ham 1 - 1 Middlesbrough | |
| Saturday 7th February | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man City 1 - 0 Middlesbrough | |
| Saturday 31st January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Middlesbrough 0 - 0 Blackburn | |
| Wednesday 28th January | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Chelsea 2 - 0 Middlesbrough | |
| Saturday 24th January | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Wolverhampton 1 - 2 Middlesbrough | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Ipswich Town | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | Leicester City | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | Middlesbrough | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | Newcastle United | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Nottingham Forest | 0 | 0 |
Matthew Bates has insisted he has no regrets about his decision to remain at Middlesbrough.
Chelsea have completed the signing of Ross Turnbull from Middlesbrough on a free transfer.
David Wheater is confident of being fit for Middlesbrough's season opener against Sheffield United.
Sky Sports has announced its first live games for the season, including Boro, Newcastle and WBA.
Gareth Southgate insists that he will not throw youngsters into his first team for the sake of it.