MIDDLESBROUGH hope to sign a striker and secure Danny Mills on a permanent deal before the transfer window closes this weekend.

Boro chairman Steve Gibson told Northern Echo SPORT last night that the Riverside outfit have had discussions with three clubs in a bid to sign a front-man.

Manager Steve McClaren has been searching for a new forward since the start of the season in a bid to push his side into the top six.

Leeds United's Mark Viduka and Preston's Ricardo Fuller have moved up McClaren's wish-list after number one target, Emile Heskey, was told by Liverpool he was going nowhere - at least until the end of the current campaign.

Viduka is on compassionate leave from Elland Road after flying to Australia to see his sick father.

Leeds are keen to keep hold of the powerful forward - once rated at £20m by ex-boss David O'Leary - but their massive cash troubles bid could force them into selling.

Preston have already turned down a £2m bid for Fuller from an unnamed Premiership club and there is every chance Boro could make an offer for the Jamaican who has scored 15 goals in the First Division.

Gibson - who captured Malcolm Christie, Chris Riggott and Michael Ricketts on deadline day nearly a year ago - said: "There is no secret that we have been looking for a striker."

"We are looking for someone who can improve us and that has to be someone who can guarantee 15 goals a season.

"Trying to find one is another matter. There are no supermarket shelves that say '15 goals a season striker here'.

"We have been really busy. We have pinned down two or three. We have held negotiations with their clubs and that changes minute to minute, hour to hour, day to day.

"Whether we are going to get one before the deadline I don't know. On Sunday morning I thought there was a good chance, on Sunday night there was no chance, now it's somewhere inbetween."

Boro are also holding regular talks with Leeds over turning Mills' loan into a full-time deal.

The England right back is thought to be available for £1.5m and McClaren is keen to tie the player down after he has impressed during the first five months of his season-long switch.

Mills has become a fans' favourite with his commitment on the pitch and Boro would like to make sure he stays on Teesside instead of joining Tottenham or Birmingham, who are also said to be interested.

Gibson said: "I'm not aware of them wanting him back. It may be a low priority for them. Transfers now are very complex. He may end up here, we hope to sign him by the end of this week but we may not."

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