Middlesbrough insist Juninho is staying

MIDDLESBROUGH yesterday moved to quell speculation that fans’ favourite Juninho may be on his way out of the Riverside.

It has been suggested the 31-year-old Brazilian could fall victim to a close-season shake-up. Boro are reportedly tracking Barcelona striker Patrick Kluivert and Leeds forward Mark Viduka and manager Steve McClaren and chairman Steve Gibson have promised difficult decisions will be made.

Chief executive Keith Lamb insisted: “Juninho is under contract at Middlesbrough and there he will remain. If someone offers us £30m for him, then obviously we will consider it. But we have had no offers.”

It is thought that several players, including striker Michael Ricketts and midfielder Mark Wilson, will be leaving this summer.