Middlesbrough have captured Bolton striker Michael Ricketts from under the noses of Premiership rivals Totttenham.
Tottenham, who had repportedly offered £3 million for Ricketts, were expected to sign the unsettled England international, butMiddlesbrough boss Steve McLaren submitted a late bid believed to be in the region of œ4m.
Bolton have decided to cash in on Ricketts cash in after signing Valencia’s Salva Ballesta on loan until the end of the season.
Ricketts asked for a transfer after it emerged that Tottenham were interested in signing him.
Middlesbrough have also sealeda deal to take Derby players Malcolm Christie and Chris Riggott to the Riverside Stadium.
Tottenham manager Glenn Hoddle is nowbelieved to be considering a loan move for Kaiserlautern’s Miroslav Klose.