Middlesbrough risk being trumped for Crystal Palace midfielder Ben Watson.

Boro chairman Steve Gibson, alarmed by Middlesbrough's failure to win any of their past ten matches in the Barclays Premier League, sanctioned the deal after talks with Simon Jordan, the Palace chairman.

"They have agreed the fee," Neil Warnock, the Palace manager, said. "It's not a foregone conclusion yet because Ben still has to agree personal terms."

West Ham United and Fulham are also believed to be interested in signing the player, says The Times.