Boro on Hargreaves trail?

Reports in the English media have suggested that Boro coach Steve McClaren is weighing up an £8 million swoop for the man who he has watched first hand while on England duties.

Canadian-born Hargreaves, 21, has indicated that he would relish a move to The Premiership in the future, but Bayern are keen to hold onto the tough-tackling midfielder despite bringing in Sebastian Deisler and Michael Ballack during the summer sales.

McClaren has a short-list of players to bolster his squad at the Riverside Stadium for next season but whether he could convince Hargreaves to swap Munich and Champions League football for Middlesbrough is open to debate.

Premiership Champions Arsenal are also credited with an interest in the England international but Bayern director Karl Heinz Rummenigge is adamant the player is staying at the Olympic Stadium.

"I can categorically rule him out of leaving the club before his contract expires in 2004," said Rummenigge.

Should Boro fail in their ambitious bid of bringing Hargreaves to Teesside, McClaren is likely to step up his bid to sign long-term target Muzzy Izzet from relegated Leicester City.