MIDDLESBROUGH boss Steve McClaren is planning a £3m raid on Portuguese champions Benfica for highly-sought after defender Ricardo Rocha.

A host of clubs around Europe have been monitoring the player's situation closely this summer after he played an influential part in helping the league title return to the Esdadio de Luz for the first time in 11 years.

It has been that form that has alerted McClaren to the player's ability but Boro are likely to have a battle on their hands to claim Ricardo Rocha's signature with a number of clubs chasing him.

As well as two other English clubs - Chelsea were previously linked but they have decided against looking for a new centre-back - Shakhtar Donetsk, Dinamo Kiev and a Spanish outfit are also keeping an eye on the situation.

McClaren - also keeping tabs on relatively unknown Aussie Ljubo Milicevic - is looking to strengthen in defence after being caught short last season when Chris Riggott, Gareth Southgate and Ugo Ehiogu all suffered injuries.

And the experienced, although not ageing, legs of Ricardo Rocha are exactly the sort the Boro boss is searching for before the start of the new campaign in August.

He has been considering making a swoop for Fulham's new England international Zat Knight - with Massimo Maccarone even mentioned as a possible makeweight in any deal.

However, McClaren's interest in the giant defender is thought to have cooled in recent weeks and he is now aiming to put all his efforts into trying to land Ricardo Rocha.

Benfica are looking for at least £3m for the 26-year-old and are still willing to do transfer business despite being managerless.

Since lifting the Superliga title Giovanni Trappatoni has left in a bid to land a job back in his Italian homeland but the Benfica board are still negotiating over players.

Ricardo Rocha started 25 games under Trappatoni last season and would be a massive loss to Benfica, who are looking forward to playing in the Champions league next term.

The composed defender has one year left to run on his existing deal and is understood to be keen on trying his luck in the Premiership.

The prospect of playing Champions League football does appeal to him but knowing Boro are playing in the UEFA Cup themselves next season would boost McClaren's chances of signing him.

It has been a quick change of heart from McClaren, who is hoping to follow up the £7.5m capture of Aiyegbeni Yakubu with a second summer signing sooner rather than later.

And, while deciding against a gamble on Knight for the time being, there could still be a chance of Maccarone departing to Fulham before the end of the summer.

Italian side Siena have been unable to broker a deal with Boro over taking the striker on a permanent basis, with the Teessiders unwilling to let him go on a season long loan for a second year.

McClaren is keen to recoup a chunk of the £8.15m paid out for him three years ago and that has led to Siena being unable to sign him.

Now Maccarone, one of eight forwards on Boro's books, is available for transfer and Fulham could make a move if Andy Cole moves on.

Cole is understood to be looking for a move back up north and, if he gets his wish, that would leave Coleman searching for a replacement.

Despite impressing back in Italy, Maccarone is keen to stay and prove he can hack it in the Premiership.

Meanwhile, Boro are travelling to the Algarve during pre-season before embarking on a series of friendlies - one of which will be overseas.

After returning to training on July 4 the whole squad will fly to Portugal two days later for a training in the sunshine for a week.

They will then send squads to both Hearts and Hartlepool United on Wednesday, July 20, and then Darlington on Saturday, July 23 and Carlisle the following Tuesday. l Ex-Boro striker Noel Whelan joined League Two side Boston.