TUNCAY SANLI is due back to Middlesbrough’s training ground this morning but the in-demand forward wants his future resolved within the next two weeks.

But any chance of the 27-year-old returning to his former club, Fenerbahce, disappeared over the weekend after it emerged they will be left behind financially in their attempts to land him.

With the World Cup in South Africa less than a year away, Tuncay is desperate to secure the move that will keep him in his country’s plans for the finals. While playing again for Fenerbahce would do just that, the Istanbul club are not in a position to compete for his services.

With Aston Villa, Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea and Fulham all monitoring the situation, Tuncay looks destined for a quick return to the Premier League just a couple of months after suffering relegation with Middlesbrough.

But with teams in Germany and Spain also being kept informed of developments, Boro are hoping to negotiate the best possible deal for the Turkey international.

It is that situation which has left Fenerbahce out of the running, with Middlesbrough likely to receive more than £7m for a player who could then expect his wages on Teesside – reportedly worth £60,000-a-week – to be matched in this country.

“Football in England takes over your life with how I played,” said Tuncay. “There is contact with several teams but I cannot say how much or when until any formal offers have been made.

“There is interest from not just England, but Germany and Spain, but I want to play for another three years in England – like Tugay (the former Blackburn midfielder) did. He was very good in the UK and has left his mark.”

Tuncay is expected to meet up with the rest of the Boro squad for pre-season training at Rockliffe Park today.

But manager Gareth Southgate needs to offload the highest earners in an attempt to free up more money to tinker with his squad for the Championship, so Tuncay is unlikely to be around for much longer.

Only Mark Yeates, from Colchester, has been brought in so far, but it has been suggested that Southgate has revived his long-standing interest in Derby’s former Sheffield United and Crewe striker Ron Hulse.

Stewart Downing is hoping to receive positive news from a specialist in London tomorrow about the state of his injured foot. Downing could still leave before the transfer window closes on August 31, provided his recovery after surgery last month is ahead of schedule.