Boro set for talks with 'the Black Cantona'

LONDON, Feb 14 -- English Premiership strugglers Middlesbrough are set to make a 6 million pound (8.5million dollars) offer for Ghanaian star Dereck Boateng from Greek giants Panathinaikos it was reported in Thursday's edition of The Independent.

According to the report Middlesbrough sent first team coach Steve Round out to Greece on Wednesday - manager Steve McLaren was unable to go because of his commitment to the English national team in the friendly with Holland - to watch the 18-year-old play for Panathinaikos against Danish outfit FC Copenhagen. Boateng, who was the youngest member of the Ghanaian squad that reached the African Nations Cup quarter-finals earlier this month, would have no problems gaining a work permit as he has been a regular in the national side.

While Panathinaikos would prefer he remains for the rest of the Champions League campaign they are in dire need of money and should 'Boro follow up with the offer it is likely to be accepted.
Boateng has made no secret of his wish to play in the Premiership as he revealed to AFP at the African Nations Cup - though he indicated he would prefer to wait till his contract was up in two years and Liverpool was his favoured choice.
"Every day I dream of playing in England," said the youngster first spotted by the Greek side Kalamata playing for Ghana's 'Black Starlets' at the African Under-17 Championship in Guinea three years ago.
"In England, the pace is fast, the players are strong and a lot more intelligent now. That is where I wish to play."
"I would love to play for Liverpool. They play as a team and like we have seen with players like (Michael) Owen, they encourage young players," he said. While Boateng, scorer of seven goals thusfar in the Greek title race, acknowledged the debt he owed Greek football for giving him his chance in European football he said the lack of competition domestically was wearing his patience thin.
"It is everyone's dream to play regularly at your club in the league and in the European Champions League or the UEFA Cup.
"I am happy I got that chance... and I have taken it with both hands. "But the league is not a big league with only two notable clubs, Pana' and Olympiakos.
"All the same I'm grateful I started my career in Europe here because I have learnt what it is to be a professional footballer. Greece has been a good first step for me," he added.