Middlesbrough are reported to have opened talks with Steaua Bucharest over Romanian star Nicolae Dica.
Dica could be Teesside-bound
Middlesbrough are reported to have opened talks with Steaua Bucharest over Romanian star Nicolae Dica.
The Teessiders have been scouring Europe for striking reinforcements with the likes of James Beattie, Shola Ameobi, David Nugent and Darius Vassell amongst those linked, but they look to have turned to a player they know quite a lot about.
Dica was part of the Steaua side that Boro met in the semi-finals of the Uefa Cup in 2006 and he impressed hugely with a goal in both legs - but the Romanians were denied by an epic Middlesbrough comeback as they progressed to the final in Eindhoven.
But the diminutive forward clearly left a mark on Gareth Southgate, who was part of the Boro defence that tried - and failed - to keep him at bay.
Since then Dica has continued to impress for club and country, and a host of teams have been linked including the likes of Aston Villa and Benfica.
Talks
However, the player's agent has now revealed that Boro are close to sealing a deal for Dica after talks with Steaua president Valeriu Argaseala.
"Valeriu Argaseala has been discussing for two days with those from Middlesbrough," revealed his agent Dumitru Tudor on prosport.ro.
It is reported that Middlesbrough have offered 5million euros (£3.5million) for Dica, which is considerably less than the 8million euros figure they were believed to be asking in the summer.
However, Dica is out of contract at the end of the season and Steaua are keen to avoid losing him for nothing so look to be willing to accept the reputed offer from Boro.
