Town central defender Gareth McAuley is being targeted by Middlesbrough and Sheffield United, according to conflicting reports this evening. One national newspaper claims the Northern Irishman is on the verge of joining Boro on loan, while another says the Blades are set to make a move.
McAuley, recently replaced as captain by Alex Bruce shortly after boss Roy Keane denied reports of a bust-up, was understood to be the subject of a £1 million offer from Middlesbrough, who Town face on Saturday, close to the end of the transfer window.
The Blades are said to see McAuley as a replacement for Matthew Kilgallon, who is expected to leave Bramall Lane in the near future.
Town targeted Sheffield Wednesday’s Richard Wood during the transfer window and it’s unlikely that manager Roy Keane would allow McAuley to leave unless the Blues had secured another experienced central defender. The 29-year-old is contracted to the Blues until the summer of 2011.
From Tuesday of this week, Football League clubs were able to loan players from other English sides for up to 93 days.