BORO NOT INTERESTED IN LOMBARDI
MIDDLESBROUGH have confirmed that they have been offered the opportunity to sign River Plate defender Gustavo Lombardi, but have stated that they are not interested in the Argentinian.
Lombardi spent time at the Riverside earlier in his career and it seems that he has been offered a return to the North East, but Boro have stated that they are not interested.
The Buenos Aires-born defender has been made available by River, with Paraguayan Pedro Sarabia (pictured) set to take his right back berth, and it seems that they approached Boro about a deal.
Club spokesman Martin Walker confirmed this, but stated that the 25-year-old will not be moving to Teesside.
"The club is aware that Lombardi is available," Walker told planetfootball.com. "And we have been offered the chance to sign him, but we are no longer interested."
River were probably alerted by Boro`s need for a right-sided defender, with Curtis Fleming currently occupying the position, but it is also well known that Derby County`s Rory Delap is boss Bryan Robson`s number one target and it may be that he is holding out to make a move for the Pride Park star.
River are in financial difficulties, currently $45 million in debt, and with Lombardi failing to command a place in coach Americo Gallego`s first-team, they are prepared to sell for around £1.3 million.
The Argentinian club`s vice president, Alfredo Davicci, revealed that an English team are interested in Lombardi, but he would not name the club.
