Boateng's Boro Move On Hold

Ghanaian international Derek Boateng's possible move to the English premiership this summer has been placed on hold for now.

Derek Boateng, who is presently on loan from Panathinaikos to OFI Crete in the Greek league, has not passed any comments on the highly anticipated summer move but his transfer to the English premiership has been placed on hold by Steve McClaren as he is bent on rather securing Cameroonian, Geremi Njitap first from Spanish giants, Real Madrid before making a move for Boateng and other possible signings for Middlesborough.

However the Black Stars player's agent has held talks with Middlesborough who have been monitoring the Ghanaian youngster since last season. Middlesborough were reportedly closing in on a £6 million deal to bring the young Ghanaian playmaker to its fold in February 2002.

The English side's preparedness to pay the fee scared off clubs from Italy and Spain. The player then 18years caught the attention of Middlesbrough manager, Steve McClaren when he played for the Greek side, Panathinaikos against Manchester United in the Champions League the previous year.

Talks between the club and the player's agent had taken place and a deal was expected to ease Middlesborough's troubles in the transfer market, according to The Independent newspaper of U.K.

Boateng is also regarded as one of the most promising young players in the world and is expected to arrive at Teesside this week for personal talks and medical tests. Derek Boateng moved on loan to OFI Crete from Panathinaikos in an attempt to get more first team football. Derek had been inactive for the Greek giants during the beginning of the season. He said the opportunity to play first team football with OFI Crete also in the Greek first division had been a persuasive factor in the move.

Derek has been playing in Greece since 2001 when he signed for Kalamata from local side Liberty Professionals. He impressed there and was snapped up by Panathinaikos in a deal reportedly worth over a million dollars. Though he impressed for Panathinaikos notably in European champions league games, he never really managed to break into the first team there.