Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate has ridiculed suggestions that Chelsea could purchase striker Tuncay Sanli for £8million. He said: "I was quite amused at the figure they put on his head because the club that were linked pay double that for full-backs.

"As you go towards January, you know it can be an unsettling period at all football clubs because speculation runs wild, it's the nature of the transfer window.

"We have to do all we can to try to keep our best players, and if we can add to the squad, we will try to do that."

Tuncay has been a big hit on Teesside since joining on a free transfer from Fenerbahce in July 2007.

Southgate added: "He's a terrific player. He is an intelligent footballer. He can play in any number of different positions.

"He scored eight goals last year and has four already this year from a deep striking role. He can play wide, he can play in midfield and he is a joy to work with.

"He is a real character around the place and a big influence on our team."