Middlesbrough today made a major transfer breakthrough by agreeing personal terms with Turkey striker Tuncay Sanli.
The 25-year-old forward, who is out of contract with Fenerbahce, will head for Teesside to undergo a medical next week with a view to completing a free transfer switch to the Barclays Premier League.
Boro chief executive Keith Lamb concluded the negotiations in Istanbul yesterday as chairman Steve Gibson was promising 'spectacular' signings back at home.
Lamb said: 'Tuncay will travel to Teesside next week to take a medical. He has agreed personal terms and the deal is a free transfer as the player is out of contract.'
Tuncay, reportedly a target for Manchester City and Birmingham, began his career at home-town club Sakaryaspor before joining Fenerbahce in 2002, and has scored 59 goals in 154 league games for the Istanbul outfit.
He also scored a Champions League hat-trick against Manchester United in 2004.
A central striker who can also play on both flanks, he has 13 goals in 43 internationals and will be seen as a replacement for Mark Viduka, who left Boro for north-east rivals Newcastle last week.
The Teessiders, who have agreed a deal to bring Arsenal's Jeremie Aliadiere to the Riverside Stadium, are also being linked with Tuncay's compatriot Gokdeniz Karadeniz, an attacking midfielder from Trabzonspor.
Meanwhile, Boro will ask for extended dispensation for manager Gareth Southgate as he attempts to gain his coaching qualifications.
The 36-year-old has combined his first year in management with his studies for his badges, and recently spent two weeks on a residential course at Lilleshall along with coach Colin Cooper.
However, Southgate will not be able to fulfil the newly-amended Premier League requirement of being enrolled on the UEFA Pro Licence course by the start of the 2007-08 campaign, and that could leave Boro with a problem.
The Teessiders have already held talks with the Football Association over the way forward, but seem likely to have to persuade the Premier League board to extend the special dispensation they granted Southgate last year to continue in his post.
