Middlesbrough are ready to tell Aston Villa what it will take to sign England defender David Wheater.

The Sunday Sun says Boro are set to demand £7 million PLUS midfielder Craig Gardner from Aston Villa for Wheater.

With Villa hot on the trail of local lad Wheater, Boro boss Southgate will want one of Martin O'Neill's homegrown heroes, Gardner, in part exchange.

Southgate had been considering a loan move for Gardner, currently in Sweden with the England Under-21 squad.

So while he is loath to lose Wheater, the Boro boss would consider a deal involving cash plus Gardner, who is well regarded by O'Neill and has three years left on his contract at Villa Park.