PAUL GASCOIGNE can expect to be nothing more than a bit-part player at Middlesbrough next season after confirmation that Christian Karembeu is bound for the Riverside Stadium.

Boro have clinched a £2.4m deal for the Real Madrid midfielder, who is currently on duty with France at Euro 2000.

A Boro spokesman said: "We have reached an agreement with Christian and the deal is subject to a medical.''

Karembeu, who will pick up £30,000-a-week, snubbed a late bid by Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger because Boro have guaranteed him the midfield role he favours.

Wenger had a long-standing interest in Karembeu and wanted the 29-year-old to succeed Lee Dixon at right-back.

But Karembeu stressed: "I wanted to play in midfield and I will get that chance at Middlesbrough.''

The arrival of Karembeu will intensify competition for places in Boro's midfield, and with versatile Australia skipper Paul Okon also on his way in a Bosman move from Fiorentina, injury-plagued Gascoigne - who started only nine first-team games last season - faces a desperate struggle to re-establish himself in the final year of his contract.

Gascoigne has been linked with moves to America and Australia and admits he will "definitely go abroad'' eventually.

But, at 33, he still believes he can end his Boro career on a high.

Like Gascoigne, former Sampdoria star Karembeu is a strong-willed character who has courted controversy.

While in Italy, he made a public protest at a League match against French nuclear tests in the South Pacific.

Despite having over 40 caps, Karembeu's inclusion in French coach Roger Lemerre's Euro 2000 party came as a surprise after he had failed to hold down a regular place with Real.

Meanwhile, Boro and West Ham have been linked with Blackburn's Scottish international left-back Callum Davidson.

The former St. Johnstone player's future is in doubt because Blackburn boss Graeme Souness is lining up a move for Norway full-back Stig Inge Bjornebye.

Boro boss Bryan Robson is still keeping tabs on Aston Villa's former Newcastle United defender Steve Watson.

But Robson's priority now is to land a striker and his hopes of luring £12m-rated Barcelona star Dani have been hit by news that Fiorentina are interested.