Boro’s final offer: £5m for Harper

Aug 17 2008 by Steve Brown, Sunday Sun

MIDDLESBROUGH have tabled a £5 million bid for James Harper — and told Reading they will NOT improve it.

The Teessiders failed with offers of £3m and £3.5m for the 26-year-old midfielder, pictured above, who the Royals rate at around double that.

But a Boro source said: “This will be the last offer. We don’t think Steve Coppell wants to sell but £5 million is a very good offer. We have kept upping our offer and they have kept upping the price.”

Boro have completed a £3m, four-year deal for Arsenal right-back Justin Hoyte, pictured below right, after the 23-year-old passed a medical and agreed personal terms yesterday.

Gareth Southgate said: “I’m delighted to capture that signature, he’s a young player with terrific pace and great pedigree.”

The Boro boss added that Rangers have been turned down in a bid to land Adam Johnson on loan, but admitted the youngster may again be farmed out to a Championship club.

“Rangers have been in for Adam but I have no interest in letting him go to Scotland,” said Southgate, whose striker, Mido, has been the subject of speculation linking him with a move to United Arab Emirates outfit Al Ittihad.

“Adam can only move during the window and that does not work for us, so he won’t be going there. We’ve had enquiries from 12 Championship clubs for him as well and he might go to one of them.

“He needs to be playing football, it’s understandable he’s frustrated but he has to embrace the challenge. He is a rare talent.”

Meanwhile, Steve Gibson has confirmed that during talks over the transfer of Luke Young, Aston Villa did enquire about a second Boro player, believed to be Stewart Downing, but were told he is not for sale.