Middlesbrough are closing in on a deal for Olympique Lyon striker Fred.

The Independent says Boro hope to seal the £8m transfer of the 24-year-old Brazilian striker in the coming days, with the fee likely to be balanced out by Stewart Downing's possible £12m move to Tottenham Hotspur which the winger seemed to welcome last night.

Lyons' president, Jean-Michel Aulas, said yesterday that three clubs had bid for Fred and they had accepted. Portsmouth and Spurs are the two English clubs, but the former's manager, Harry Redknapp, said last night that he had heard Boro had nipped in to sign him. Fred is expected on Teesside today for talks.