Rumour Mill: Middlesbrough join race for striker and Cardiff set for players to leave

Middlesbrough in for Graham

The Sunderland Echo are reporting that Middlesbrough have joined the race to sign Sunderland striker Danny Graham. Graham was rumoured to be a transfer target of Watford’s last week, but it seems as though Middlesbrough are also interested in securing the signature of the striker who scored six goals in 18 appearances on loan at the club last season.Boro are hopeful that the ex-Swansea strikers links to the North-East will sway the deal in their favour but Watford are hoping to make him their latest acquisition having already signed goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes and defender Gabriel Tamas. Graham clearly wants to leave the Stadium of Light after a disastrous spell at Sunderland where he failed to score in 13 appearances but he has not given any indication of where he would like to play football next season, having spent successful spells at both Middlesbrough and Watford in the past (Graham scored 41 goals in 98 matches for Watford between 2009-11).

Cardiff set for players to leave

Cardiff City are braced to receive offers for three key players following their relegation to the Championship. Jordan Mutch, David Marshall and Steven Caulker are all set to leave the Welsh club after attracting strong interest from Premier League clubs. The Daily Mail are reporting that Sunderland have agreed at £1.5 million deal to take Mutch to the North East, as ex-Brighton boss Gus Poyet starts his plans for next season. Mutch impressed in the Premier League last season and finished as Cardiff’s top goalscorer. David Marshall is also set to leave Cardiff with rumours of interest from North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham heating up. It is rumoured Cardiff will command a staggering £15 million fee but Marshall’s Scotland team-mate Shaun Maloney has told Wales Online that this would reflect his true value. Finally, Wales Online are also reporting that Cardiff’s arch-rivals Swansea are lining up a move for defender Steven Caulker. Swansea will look at signing Caulker if they lose Ashley Williams and the ex-Tottenham man was a huge hit at the Liberty Stadium during his loan spell there in the 2011/12 season. It is set to be a huge summer of change at the Cardiff City Stadium.

MK Dons battle to keep Dele Alli

Karl Robinson has admitted that he expects offers to be made for MK Dons wonderkid Dele Alli and has said that a big bid would be difficult to turn down. The 17-year-old is regarded as one of the best young stars in the country and the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal have emerged as possible destinations for the youngster in the last few days. MK Dons manager Karl Robinson has told Sky Sports that he is desperate to keep the attacking midfielder for another season but admits that the club will have to sell Dele Alli at some point in the future. Robinson said “There’s been a lot of interest in him and a few things have come up, but it would be unfair of me to talk about the clubs who want him”. Manchester United and Chelsea are also rumoured to be interested in Dele Alli.