Boro close in on Maccarone

Middlesbrough are aiming to complete negotiations with striker Massimo Maccarone and take him to the Riverside in an £8m (€12m)deal.

Maccarone's agent, Paolo Fabbri, has already indicated the player is close to agreeing personal terms and completing a medical in order to sign within the next 24 hours.

The 22-year-old Empoli striker was on Teeside at the club's Rockliffe Park training ground late on Thursday afternoon, where it is understood he was involved in more talks with Boro's chief executive Keith Lamb.

Middlesbrough, though, remain tight-lipped as they have done since reports from Italy revealed an interest in a man who is one of his country's hottest properties.

However, their caution is perhaps understandable after the Teesiders agreed fees for Dwight Yorke, Diego Forlan and Muzzy Izzet with their respective clubs last season, but saw all three moves fall through.

Uruguayan Forlan was actually on his way to Middlesbrough from Argentina when he changed direction en route to head for Manchester United and sign on the dotted line at the 11th hour, much to manager Steve McClaren's disappointment.

McClaren may be thousands of miles away in Japan helping to put the finishing touches to England's preparations for today's World Cup clash with Argentina, but club officials were working hard behind the scenes to tie up his first acquisition since Frenchman Franck Queudrue made his loan move permanent.