ROBERT HUTH has confirmed he is close to agreeing a move away from Chelsea - with both Newcastle United and Middlesbrough in the hunt to land him.

Huth's agent, Manfred Schulte, has admitted that the German centre-back wants his future sorted out before the start of the World Cup finals on June 9.

And, having held talks on Teesside on Monday, Middlesbrough are hoping to sort out a deal within the next few days for the player's services.

And Schulte said: "Robert is definitely staying in England and has a number of options. We have had a number of offers come in and I will be going over them with him.

"The interest has been huge and in some way there have been too many offers. Robert has not made a decision on his future yet.

"As I said we will go over them soon as we want to try to resolve his future before the World Cup finals begin. It will be better if he goes to the finals knowing which club he is with."

Huth is also known to be wanted by Everton and Wigan and negotiations have been held with most clubs who are keen.

There will be a transfer fee of around £5.5m involved and that is something both Newcastle and Middlesbrough are willing to meet.