Boro to start talks to keep duo

The pair have enjoyed impressive loan spells on Teesside this season and Boro are keen to make the deals permanent.

Mills has already admitted he is prepared to return to his parent club Leeds United, irrespective of whether The Whites remain in The Premiership.

Chelsea winger Zenden is also willing to head back to Stamford Bridge despite the impending arrival of Arjen Robben which will reduce his first-team chances even further.

But Boro are aiming to tie up deals to keep Mills and Zenden at the club and are hoping the carrot of European football will persuade the pair to stay.

"Steve McClaren has expressed his wish to keep Bolo Zenden and Danny Mills," Boro chief executive Keith Lamb told the club's official website.

"Our job is to negotiate satisfactory terms with their clubs and the players to keep them here.

"Our target next season is a top-six place and a successful run in the Uefa Cup.

"Middlesbrough is the place to be next season, so we only want players who match our ambition and are committed to helping us achieve more."

Lamb also confirmed the club's plans to retain the services of several members of the current squad, whose contracts will expire either this or next summer.

Talks have already started with Mark Schwarzer, Ugo Ehiogu and Gareth Southgate, who have 12 months to run on their present deals.

Discussions are also in the pipeline with Joseph-Desire Job and Doriva, whose contracts finish at the end of the season.

"We have some players who are out of contract or into the last year of their contract," added Lamb.

"We're having talks with those players and I hope we can retain all of them."