TUNCAY Sanli is set to snub the offer of an extended stay in the Premier League in order to return to his native Turkey.

Tuncay has been told he can leave the Riverside following Middlesbrough’s relegation to the Championship, with Boro boss Gareth Southgate grudgingly accepting he will be unable to hold on to last year’s Player of the Season.

The versatile attacker has attracted the attention of a number of English clubs including Chelsea and Aston Villa.

Liverpool have also been linked with a possible summer swoop, but the 27-yearold is ready to turn his back on the Premier League in order to return to Turkey and re-sign for his former club, Fenerbahce.

Tuncay spent five years there before moving to Boro in the summer of 2007, and has never lost his affinity with his former employers.

He has remained in contact with most of his former teammates, and is aware of Fenerbahce’s attempts to lure him back.

With Villa and Chelsea likely to match the estimated £60,000-a-week Tuncay currently earns at the Riverside, the striker would have to take a wage cut in order to return to his homeland.

But sources in Turkey claim Tuncay is desperate to guarantee his involvement in the 2010 World Cup and is willing to forego some cash in order to return to Istanbul.

With Southgate hoping to make further progress on signings of his own in the next two weeks, it is expected Tuncay’s departure will be confirmed shortly after Boro’s players return for preseason training next Monday.

■ Middlesbrough’s new adidas home kit will be on sale to season card holders from 9.30am this morning. A general sale will start at 9.30am on Friday.

The revamped kit will be available with a range of newlook training gear from the MFC retail stores at the Riverside and Captain Cook Square. Season card holders will also be able to purchase the kit from www.mfcofficialdirect.

co.uk.