GIANLUCA Festa could be set to link up with Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri, after Terry Venables admitted attempts to persuade him to stay at the Riverside have so far failed.

The former Inter Milan defender, a revelation since the new head coach arrived, has been strongly linked with a move to the Blues - and it is believed the London club will firm up that interest once they offload Frank Leboeuf.

But after Chelsea agreed a £2.5m deal with Monaco for the Frenchman, the move has hit a snag, and time is fast running out for Leboeuf to land his desired move back to his homeland.

Ranieri has known Festa since both were at Cagliari, and Venables has been using all his powers of persuasion to make the 32-year-old commit himself to Boro.

But the centre-back is still intent on ending his three year association with the Teessiders and London is appearing his most likely destination.

Venables said: "I think it's fair to say there is interest (in Festa) and he feels he wants to go.

"It disappoints me and basically I hope he changes his mind."

Venables said he believed Chelsea were one of those clubs interested in Festa's signature though he still hoped to persuade him to stay.

"He has played really well since I've been here, and we have a cause to fight for and I hope that he'd want to be involved in that.

"I don't think he's thinking along those lines, but hopefully we can make him change his mind."

Festa has been crucial to the Boro revival, with six clean sheets in the last eight games, after being restored to the side by Venables because of injuries and suspensions.

Festa is in the squad for tonight's game at Everton, but Venables is likely to start with a back three of Ugo Ehiogu, Steve Vickers and Colin Cooper.

Keith O'Neill is unlikely to be fit to start, with the only change from last week's game at Liverpool being Cooper for Festa.

Former England manager Venables also picked out Ehiogu as a top performer in the club's revival, and believes he is worthy of a return to the international stage.

He said: ''I've always been an admirer of Ehiogu and gave him his first cap in 1996. He looked very good then even though he did not make it into my final selection (for Euro 96).

''Some time ago I was asked in an interview which players I would sign if I had £20m to strengthen a side. I named Ehiogu, Gareth Southgate and Steve McManaman.''

The head coach admitted the next four days were crucial in Boro's bid against relegation starting with Everton tonight, and Saturday's visit of Manchester City.

"It's a very important week for us, but its the same for the opposition.

"We're all in the same boat really and come Saturday night we could be looking at something that is a bit useful, or trouble."

Venables believes Everton will be eager to put last weekend's disappointing 3-0 FA Cup defeat at the hands of neighbours Tranmere behind them.

With former Newcastle United striker Duncan Ferguson expected to start for Everton, Venables knows his back three have a hardworking evening ahead for them

"Ferguson's an outstanding player and he will always give team's problems. "He's a real handful but it's up to us to cope with him."

Boro (from) Schwarzer, Fleming, Ehiogu, Vickers, Cooper, Gordon, Okon, Ince, Karembeu, Whelan, Boksic, Festa, O'Neill, Ricard, Deane, Crossley.

lVenables confirmed that Boro had Paris St Germain's Brazilian striker Christian watched at the weekend but would not commit himself to whether the club would be following up their interest.

He said: "He's a good player but whether we decide to go along that route is another matter, and there's nothing happening at the moment on that."