MIDDLESBROUGH manager Steve McClaren is looking to steal a march on mentor Sir Alex Ferguson by lining up a £500,000 swoop for teenage Norwegian striker Martin Wiig.

Sources in Norway claim Boro have already tabled an offer for the 18-year-old, who plays for top-flight side Odd Grenland.

United were the first English club to be alerted to Wiig, but Boro's growing interest has triggered a string of enquiries from the Premiership.

"When it was made known that Middlesbrough were interested, several others made contact and asked to be informed of any development regarding Wiig," said Odd sporting director Jan Saeterbakken.

"There has been interest from Middlesbrough but we need to discuss it further.''

McClaren, Ferguson's former No 2, recently despatched Boro reserve-team coach Steve Round to watch Wiig when he scored in Odd's 3-1 home defeat by Rosenborg.

Wiig, who is under contract with Odd for two more years, admitted he had spoken to Boro.

"They have confirmed that they are interested,'' he said. "We haven't talked about a move, but it is a young striker they want.''

Boro, who had Norwegian Under-21 midfielder Morten Gamst Pedersen on trial from Tromso last season, are expected to check on Wiig again when Norway host the UEFA Under-19 Championships, which start on Sunday.

Meanwhile, French midfielder Edouard Cisse, 24, is ready to undertake a three-day trial with Boro in a bid to clinch a £2.5m move from Paris St. Germain.

McClaren is desperate to bring in midfield reinforcements following the departures of Paul Ince and Robbie Mustoe, and Cisse could fit the bill.

Everton, Bolton and Birmingham have all shown an interest and, as revealed in Northern Echo Sport a fortnight ago, Boro have already enquired about taking Cisse on loan.

He was tipped to join Everton in exchange for Ghanaian Alex Nyarko, who has been on loan with PSG.

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