Boro Lead Smith Chase

Middlesbrough have become the first club to meet Manchester United's £6m valuation for Alan Smith and hope to persuade the England striker to fill the void left by Mark Viduka's departure to Newcastle United. Gareth Southgate, the Middlesbrough manager, now hopes the prospect of regular first-team football will convince Smith to leave the Premier League champions.

Smith has indicated he wants to stay at Old Trafford but the forward is aware that he will play only a peripheral role in Sir Alex Ferguson's plans next season. Smith and his adviser, Alex Black, were dismayed when they approached the club at the end of the season to ask for a contract extension, as had been previously mooted, and they were informed that one would not be forthcoming.

Roy Keane, the Sunderland manager, is also monitoring Smith's availability, although Preston North End's David Nugent is his primary target. Newcastle are not thought to be interested. Southgate is aware that Smith may be reluctant to leave Old Trafford for the Riverside and the Middlesbrough manager is said to be planning to fly to Florida, where Smith is currently on holiday.

Harry Redknapp is also lining up a bid for Smith. With the future of Nwankwo Kanu unclear, Redknapp wants to add at least one striker to his Portsmouth squad but has been put off by the prices being quoted for Yakubu Ayegbeni, Freddy Kanouté and Nugent. "Alan Smith is good value at the money they are talking about," said Redknapp.

Darren Bent is expected to complete a £16m move to Tottenham Hotspur this week. Personal terms have not yet been finalized but it is understood that he is willing to accept a weekly salary in the region of £50,000 compared to the £75,000 that was on offer at West Ham United.