Middlesbrough set sights on £4 million French star Digard

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate has confirmed his interest in signing Paris Saint-Germain star Didier Digard, according to the Daily Mirror.

Digard, 21, has caught the eye of many Premiership clubs including Newcastle and Portsmouth through impressive displays at PSG. The midfielder has only been at the Parc des Princes for a year, after joining from fellow French side Le Havre for 2.5 million Euros.

Middlesbrough now appear to be in pole-position for the player, although there could be negotiations over the price for the star. Middlesbrough have reportedly offered £4 million, whereas PSG want nearer £6 million, according to Sky Sports.

With Southgate looking to overhaul his midfield this summer, it appears that the Boro’ manager sees Digard as a natural succesor to the likes of George Boateng and Gaizka Mendieta.

“Didier is somebody we’ve been watching, and he’s somebody we’ve made an enquiry about,” confirmed Southgate.

“He’s a player with definite qualities and he’s someone we’re interested in, but at this stage of the summer, it’s difficult to go any further.

“The one major difference between Didier and a lot of other players is that the signs seem to suggest that his club are willing to sell him.

“That obviously puts him in a slightly different position to some of the other players we might have been looking at.”

The Daily Mirror claims that this is the second time Middlesbrough have tried to secure the player, having a bid turned down last January.

[Sources: The Daily Mirror, Sky Sports]