Middlesbrough are planning a £5 million bid for Fulham midfielder Jimmy Bullard.

The People says Bullard, 29, wants a new deal at Fulham after breaking into the England squad.

Although he is reluctant to move north, if Fulham accept a Boro bid this week, Bullard will face a tough choice, knowing that Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate rates him more highly than Roy Hodgson.

Bolton and Bullard's former club Wigan are the only other clubs to have shown a firm interest in the player, although neither has made a bid.