Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is determined to win the race for Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell.

The People says Southgate is ready to bid £5million for Chelsea's Steve Sidwell - and beat West Ham and Aston Villa to his signature.

Outcast Sidwell was all set to join the Hammers, but cutbacks are in the pipeline at Upton Park and Alan Curbishley may not be able to afford the midfielder's fee and £50,000-a-week wages.

Villa are dark horses with Martin O'Neill weighing up potential replacements if Gareth Barry leaves.

But chairman Steve Gibson will bankroll Southgate's bid for Sidwell.