DANNY MILLS' agent has confirmed that Middlesbrough's on-loan defender is keeping his options open as he eyes a move from relegated Leeds.

Newcastle have been linked with a £6.5m double swoop on Elland Road for Mills and long-term strike target Alan Smith.

Both players are certain to be part of the exodus at Leeds following their catastrophic drop into Division One and, with rich pickings in the offing, the Premiership predators are on the prowl.

Boro boss Steve McClaren, who has admitted his interest in Smith and is targeting front partner Mark Viduka, is "very confident'' he can make Mills' deal permanent this summer after his successful season-long stint at the Riverside.

Boro failed in an attempt to seal a near-£1m deal for Mills in January, but he is sure to be available now for a knockdown fee.

With a reputed £40,000-a-week pay packet, it is even conceivable Leeds would let the England right-back leave for nothing to ease the drain on their unsustainable wage bill.

But, while Boro appear to be in pole position, Mills' representative Neil Featherby maintains he will consider all offers.

"You would have to be naive to think under the present circumstances that he is likely to remain at Leeds,'' said Featherby.

"Of course he would prefer not to play in Division One, just as Leeds would prefer not to play in Division One.

"He's been more than happy at Middlesbrough throughout the season, and more to the point he came away with a Carling Cup winner's medal."

Birmingham and Tottenham have also been credited with interest in 26-year-old Mills, and Featherby added: "If, during the course of the next few weeks, he is presented with several options then we will obviously look at them all.

"Certainly, from a footballing point of view, Danny is very ambitious and has many years of good football ahead of him.

"The most important thing here is him and his family, and the determining factor will be whether they want to live in London, the Midlands, the North-East or stay in Yorkshire where he is now."

Meanwhile, McClaren has saluted Boro Official Supporters' Club player of the year George Boateng - and admitted he is surprised the midfielder has been unable to force his way back into the Holland squad.

McClaren, who bought Boateng from Aston Villa for £5m two years ago, said: "The word for George is consistent.

"You know what you're going to get from him, but the biggest thing is that he's a great character on and off the field.

"He's determined and sets a great example to the younger players. He deserves his award."

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