MIDDLESBROUGH were last night given the green light to open negotiations with Muzzy Izzet over a £6m move to the Riverside.

Leicester City have confirmed that both clubs have reached agreement over a price for the player, and Boro have submitted a written bid which has been accepted.

Izzet, who is said to be keen on a move to the North-East, is now expected to hold talks with boss Steve McClaren when they both return from their respective international duties.

The 27-year-old midfielder is due back in England today after being involved with the Turkish squad who were beaten 1-0 last night in a friendly against Ecuador in Holland, while England coach McClaren will arrive on Teesside tomorrow following this evening's friendly against the Dutch.

Foxes chairman John Elsom said: "We have given permission for Middlesbrough to open discussions with Muzzy.

"The club received a written bid from Middlesbrough which we are in broad agreement with, although there are a couple of small matters still to be finalised."

Leicester manager Dave Bassett revealed yesterday he does not expect Izzet to be part of his playing staff for too much longer following the developments.

And earlier this week the midfielder's agent, Jonathan Barnett, insisted both he and his player expect to be involved in discussions with Boro after they had a verbal bid of £6m accepted.

''The bid from Middlesbrough has been accepted, but Muzzy is out of the country at the moment," said Barnett.

''When he returns later in the week, then we will hold talks with Middlesbrough.''

Despite Boro revealing their interest in the former Chelsea man, the club have issued no official comment.

It is thought that reports suggesting Izzet has already agreed to a contract, worth £25,000 a week, are premature.

If a deal is completed for the transfer-listed 27-year-old, who would be Cup-tied for Saturday's FA Cup clash with Blackburn Rovers, Leicester have been told to expect a backlash from fans for the sale of their most prize asset.

Boro, who are still involved in a relegation battle with Bassett's side, must face Leicester in a crunch match on March 2.

And Leicester supporters club supremo Cliff Ginetta has warned the departure of Izzet could spark fury among the fans.

He said: "The fans are never too chuffed when the club sells their best player.

"But the thought of selling him to one of the teams around us at the bottom and who we play early next month will make it even worse for them."

Bassett, meanwhile, has acted swiftly to deny reports that Dean Windass, scorer of Boro's equaliser against Leeds on Saturday, could be going the other way as part of an exchange deal.

It was initially thought that Leicester were considering an approach to take Windass to Filbert Street.

But City boss Bassett has quashed those rumours and he is adamant he has had no contact with the Teessiders regarding the Boro forward, who can also play in midfield.

"There is no truth in that," said Bassett. "We have made no enquiries about him, as we have no money.

"I really know nothing about that at all."

Meanwhile, Hearts manager Craig Levein is believed to be targeting Boro winger Allan Johnston for a return to his old club.

Johnston, who was only signed by McClaren in September for £650,000 from Rangers, has struggled to hold down a first team place since his arrival.

It is understood that Levein is keen to bolster his squad and McClaren is likely to be tempted to sell if he receives a bid somewhere near the figure he forked out for the player

* A national survey has revealed Middlesbrough to have the most localised fan bases in the Premiership. The FA Premier League National Fan Survey showed that 74 per cent of those surveyed stated that they lived within ten miles of the stadium.

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