Aston Villa star Gareth Southgate is today on the verge of joining Middlesbrough for £6 million.

The 30-year-old England defender is set to quit Villa Park as he hammers out personal terms and prepares to sit a medical.

Southgate demanded a transfer a year ago because he felt Villa were no longer challenging for top honours.

And he resigned as club skipper at the end of last season after becoming frustrated at the club's reluctance to let him go.

A move to the Riverside will see his wages shoot up by about £500,000 a year to about £30,000-a-week.

Meanwhile, Villa boss John Gregory has already lined up a replacement for Southgate.

He is hoping to complete the signing of £5m-rated Swedish ace Olaf Mellberg from Spanish club Racing Santander.