Doubt over Boatang's Boro future

George Boateng admits the odds of him being at Middlesbrough next season are no better than “50-50”.

The veteran midfielder, 32, has one year remaining on his contract at the Riverside and was warned this week by manager Gareth Southgate that he is unable to guarantee the Dutchman regular first-team football.

Boateng has been linked for some time with a move away from the club he joined from Aston Villa almost six years ago.

He was stripped of the captaincy earlier this year following a reported training ground bust-up with Southgate.

Former Holland international Boateng insists he has yet to receive any offers but revealed he “would be interested” in a move and said it was “50-50” that he would leave this summer.

He added on Sky Sports News: “I still have one year to go at Middlesbrough and I haven’t had any major offers.

“But I am very ambitious. I am still very hungry to achieve something in the short career I still have.”

Were he to be sold, Boateng would prefer to join one of Boro’s Barclays Premier League rivals rather than an overseas club.

“I like England. I think England has been great for me,” he said.

“Even now, when I walk outside, I meet Aston Villa fans and they treat me with great respect, which is wonderful to see after all those years.”

He added: “Most importantly, the football suits my style. When I can’t perform week in, week out, it’s very difficult to accept because this is my life. I love being in the Premier League because the Premier League is the best league in the world.”