Belgian star Anthony Vanden Borre is a target for Middlesbrough.

The Sunday Sun says the Teessiders are understood to have made preliminary moves to persuade Genoa to part company with the pacy and versatile 21-year-old.

Boro are in the market for a fullback, and also appreciate Vanden Borre's ability to play in midfield.

Genoa only signed Vanden Borre from Fiorentina last summer, but would be willing to do business at around 5 million euros (£4.3 million).

And Vanden Borre, whose brother, Frank, acts as his adviser, is said to be aware of Boro's interest and the possibility of negotiating a salary worth double his current £15,000-a-week wages.