ALL of Middlesbrough's powers of persuasion are to be channelled towards the transfer market after manager Steve McClaren agreed a new four-year contract at the Riverside Stadium.

McClaren has been in negotiations with the club for a number of months and was close to an agreement before flying out with the England squad to the United States late last month.

But, after returning to Teesside, the 44-year-old held more talks and all that is left for him is sign the new contract.

Chairman Steve Gibson said: "We have never made any secret of our ambitions and Steve has helped take the club forward. He has the same role to play in our greater success so I'm pleased we have shaken hands on a deal.

"We haven't got round to him putting pen to paper yet because there have been other issues that we have been addressing. But we have a deal and it will be signed once our other priorities have been sorted out."

It is reportedly worth a staggering £2m a year and makes McClaren one of the best paid managers in the English game and ties him to Boro until 2009.

And, having agreed the new contract, McClaren has quashed rumours he is to take over from Sven-Goran Eriksson after next summer's World Cup.

The five-year deal he signed when he took over from Bryan Robson in 2001 was due to expire just before the Germany finals.

And there has been a general consensus that Eriksson will quit his post after leading England to the World Cup - opening the door for McClaren to step in.

However, accepting a new contract at Boro highlights his determination to make sure the Teessiders continue to progress at the speed they have in recent years.

Now McClaren and chief executive Keith Lamb will be able to concentrate on squad strengthening.

Having already sealed striker Aiyegbeni Yakubu for £7.5m from Portsmouth, Boro are close to agreeing a deal for Austrian left-back Emanuel Pogatetz.

McClaren is also looking for a new centre-back and two midfielders, which could become three if Bolo Zenden does not commit himself to the club for another two years. It is expected Zenden will turn his back on Boro in favour of a move to Liverpool. Boro are also waiting to learn whether Brazilian Doriva will sign a new deal.

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