The Daily Mail is reporting that Middlesbrough are willing to let Gary O’Neil leave the Riverside Stadium to join Premier League outfit Stoke City in order to secure the funds to sign striker Leon Best from Coventry. Tony Pulis has made a bid in the region of £4 million for O’Neil, which would hand manager Gordon Strachan plenty of funds to in turn sign the £1 million rated Best from the Championship club.
Middlesbrough continue to struggle in the Championship following their relegation from the Premier League and they look set to lose one of their most skilful players to the lure of the top flight. On the other hand Stoke continue to impress in the Premier League and manager Tony Pulis is looking to add to his squad this month. He has identified O’Neil as the man to fill the right midfield spot and has already made a firm bid for the 26 year old. O’Neil has struggled for form this season and Strachan may be tempted to let O’Neil leave the Riverside Stadium and use the money to strengthen his squad elsewhere.
Whilst O’Neill looks to be on his way out of Middlesbrough, the North East club are ready to cement their interest in Ireland international Leon Best who has been on top form at the Ricoh Arena this season. A £1 million bid has been mooted for the 23 year old, but Coventry will surely be looking to secure a larger sum for a striker who scored a stunning goal in the FA Cup against Portsmouth and has found the back of the net on regular occasion this campaign. Middlesbrough are also offering a trial to Argentine defender Norberto Paparatto who currently plays for Tigre as Strachan looks to further shake up his squad this month.
