Boro in Bid for Malbranque

Middlesbrough are reported to have opened the bidding to land West Ham target Steed Malbranque from Fulham with a £5m offer. The Hammers, Newcastle United, Liverpool and Manchester City are all interested in the French player, who is available for transfer having refused to sign a new contract.

West Ham were rumoured to have offered £4 million for the player with some papers at the weekend reporting that Malbranque's transfer to West Ham would be revealed yesterday. If Boro have outbid West Ham it would explain why the deal wasn't completed.

West Ham are reported to have tabled a 'final' £4 million offer for the Addick's Luke Young. Apparently no further offer will be made as Pardew only has limited funds and wants to sign a right back and a midfielder this summer.