Festa not happy - Boro okay with Forlan deal

The former Internazionale defender is behind Ugo Ehiogu and Gareth Southgate in the pecking order, and he is currently battling with Colin Cooper and Jason Gavin for the role of substitute.

But Festa is not happy with his current role and looks ready to leave The Riverside.

"You wouldn't expect any player to be happy when he is not involved and I am no different," he said.

"I would like to stay in England for another three years, but at the moment, I can't say where my future will be.

"I don't feel as though I have anything to prove, and I'm hoping that something will be sorted out soon.

"In the meantime, life goes on as normal and I am training just as hard as always. I have a lot of self-respect as a professional and I will not allow my standards to slip."

Manchester City are being strongly linked with a move and Kevin Keegan could very well see Festa as the perfect man to bolster his side's promotion chances.

Meanwhile, Boro chief executive Keith Lamb has admitted that Manchester United did everything correct when they landed Diego Forlan from under the noses of the Teesside club.

"I know there must be a great deal of frustration among our supporters that we failed in our attempt to sign Diego Forlan from Independiente," Lamb said.

"It was a massive blow to the club, especially as we had been tracking Diego's progress for over a year and had sent several members of our coaching staff to Argentina to watch him play.

"I was invited to discuss a transfer by the directors of Independiente and travelled to Buenos Aires hoping that we could conclude the year-long process last week.

"I quickly agreed a deal with the club. I then met with the player, his family and agent to discuss his move to Middlesbrough.

"The player's personal terms were agreed, in outline, and he was given permission by his club to travel to Middlesbrough for a medical, following which he would finalise his personal terms.

"Diego Forlan left Buenos Aires, with a Middlesbrough representative, looking forward to arriving on Teesside and concluding the deal quickly to enable him to settle down to Premiership football with Middlesbrough.

"Unfortunately, while waiting for a flight from Gatwick to Newcastle, he was persuaded by his agent to consider an 11th-hour proposal from Manchester United.

"Regrettably for Middlesbrough, he chose to accept United's offer. He then took a flight to Manchester instead of heading to Teesside via Newcastle Airport.

"For the record, we have no complaints over the deal and the way in which the player, his club and Manchester United acted in this transfer.

"The reality is that the player chose United ahead of Middlesbrough, and we wish Diego well.

"As you're aware, the financial situation in Argentina is desperate, and Independiente acted honourably with Middlesbrough.

"But they had to concede, in spite of the agreement we reached in Buenos Aires, that providing there was no financial penalty to the club, they would have to transfer the player to the club of his choosing.

"Middlesbrough Football Club put a significant financial package on the table for this deal, and it would be fair to say that if Steve McClaren wishes to pursue with other targets, we will do all we can to deliver."