Middlesbrough full-back Michael Reiziger has sparked a North-East tug-of-war by insisting that fellow Dutchman Patrick Kluivert would score "a lot of goals" in the Premiership.

Both Boro and Newcastle are on the trail of the 28-year-old after he was told to look for a new club by current employers Barcelona.

Kluivert endured a miserable time at the Nou Camp last season, and was overlooked by Dick Advocaat as Holland tumbled out of Euro 2004 at the semi-final stage.

But, after spending the last two months in Kluivert's company, Reiziger is confident his former teammate would be a big success in the English top-flight.

"I know Patrick had a difficult year at Barcelona," said Reiziger. "At the beginning he was injured, and after that he wasn't able to get into the team.

"But I've seen him train in the Dutch team over the last two months and I think he's strong again. If he is strong then he is still one of the best strikers in Europe. He would score a lot of goals in the Premiership.

"But I think Patrick has to resolve his differences with Barcelona and, after that, he will make his decision."

Newcastle remain favourites to land the former European Cup winner after club officials met with his representatives in Portugal last week.

The Magpies are keen to secure a long-term replacement for Alan Shearer and are ready to enter more detailed contract discussions with the Dutchman.

Barcelona have hinted that they are willing to waive the £1.2m fee they are due if Kluivert leaves the Nou Camp this summer, but Newcastle would still find it difficult to meet the striker's wage demands.

Kluivert, who is understood to receive £93,000-a-week at Barcelona, would have to accept a substantial cut if he was to move to Tyneside.

The Dutchman has hinted that he is willing to make some concessions, and his advisors hope to have a deal concluded by the end of next week.

"We are looking for a deal to be sorted out in the next ten days," revealed Kluivert's agent Paul Foortse.

"Patrick wants to move to England and that is what we are concentrating on, although there is interest from all over.

"There is nothing definite on the table, but talks are ongoing."

Boro have also held preliminary talks with the Kluivert camp as they look for a partner for new frontman Mark Viduka.

Any deal looked to be dead in the water when Kluivert dismissed Boro's advances prior to Euro 2004, insisting that the Teessiders were too small for him.

His experiences in Portugal seem to have forced a re-think though, with Foortse now insisting that Kluivert never ruled out a move to Teeside.

"At the time Patrick said he did not want to talk to any club," he said. "It was not a thing against Middlesbrough - he was just trying to concentrate on Euro 2004."