Head to Head

It has been announced that Boro and newly promoted premiership rivals Birmingham City are in a head to head battle to sign both West Bromwich Albion's Senegalese Striker, Diomansy Kamara, and Fenerbahce's Turkish forward Tuncay Sanli. Boro have already been linked with Kamara since before the end of last season and currently stand favourites to sign the front-man to replace Mark Viduka, so long as he doesn't agree to stay with the baggies; something that is looking increasingly unlikely. However, Boro will have to be prepared to pay more than the £3.5 million bid that, it has emerged, Birmingham had rejected by West Brom.
Meanwhile, Tuncay Sanli of Fenerbahce has been monitored by Birmingham and Manager Steve Bruce believes that he would be the perfect player to spear-head Birmingham's new premiership assault. It is also known that Birmingham have been putting together a bid for the player and a deal that might tempt the Turkish international, who announced that a move to England was his top priority for next season. However Boro appear to be attempting to hijack the deal with a 'Teesside delegation', from the club, said to be heading out to Istanbul to try and persuade the player in person to join Boro. Boro may have the upper hand on a number of fronts, however, as it is widely known that many clubs who are promoted to the top-flight are relegated again in their first season. But, perhaps more crucially, Sanli would be located just a short drive away from close friend and fellow country man Emre, who currently plays for Newcastle, though I'm sure that this second reason will not be any predominant reason for Sanli to turn down a move to the midlands.
Boro's Chief Executive Keith Lamb believes that Sanli would be an ideal replacement for Mark Viduka. With Arsenal's Jeremie Aliadiere already 'in the bag', Boro will be looking for a proven goal scorer,.