BORO PLAN DOUBLE SWOOP

After being quizzed recently as to whether Boro could attract big-name stars to the North East, Robson claimed that he could even bring the likes of Gabriel Batistuta to the BT Cellnet Riverside Stadium, but his first priorities appear to be more of a defensive nature.

The Boro boss watched Barnsley`s victory over Norwich on Easter Monday with his target believed to be Manchester United loanee John Curtis. The England Under-21 international has performed well during his spell at Oakwell, and Dave Bassett is known to be keen to sign him on a permanent basis.

It is being rumoured that Boro have tabled a £1.5 million offer, although Robson has also watched another Barnsley defender, Chris Morgan, in the past.

Another long-standing target, Paul Okon of Fiorentina, is believed to be close to agreeing a Bosman transfer to Teesside.