Real Madrid offer Figo to Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough lead the race for released Real Madrid winger Luis Figo.
 
The Guardian says Real have offered Figo to Middlesbrough and are even prepared to agree to a season-long loan deal, whereby the two clubs would split the cost of his £80,000-a-week salary.

Steve McClaren, Boro's manager, is an ardent admirer of the Portuguese winger and, as Sir Alex Ferguson's No2, was involved in Manchester United's abortive attempt to sign Figo a few seasons ago.

However, Steve Gibson, Boro's chairman, and Keith Lamb, chief executive, have pledged to concentrate on signing players aged under 28. Figo is 32.

"I don't know anything about Luis Figo joining us," Lamb insisted yesterday. "I don't think he'll be coming here. We aren't looking to sign players over 28."

Nevertheless it emerged last night that, if Boro's share of the salary were restricted to about £40,000 a week, an exception might be made for a 12-month loan recruit whose arrival would boost season-ticket and merchandise sales.