MIDDLESBROUGH target George Boateng last night laid into Aston Villa for pricing him out of a move to the Riverside, writes Paul Fraser.

The tough-tackling midfielder is being tracked by Boro boss Steve McClaren, who values the player at £4m.

But the Villans are only willing to do business with potential buyers if a substantially higher bid is launched.

And Boateng, who has voiced his frustration to manager Graham Taylor, insists Villa should lower their valuation.

"I have talked to the club and they have promised me we will keep the reason indoors, but £7m is not helping me," said Boateng. "Last year it would have been fine but not now when so little is happening.

"I've been at the club for three years and have never criticised Villa. Others have wanted to leave and have said things but I will not go down that route."

And the former Coventry City man believes nothing can be said to make him change his mind.

Boateng said: "Villa have treated me superbly and always given me a great welcome.

"They have given me a fantastic career but I'm desperate to move. This is not something that has just happened. I have thought long and hard about it. I just hope that before the League campaign, we can go our separate ways.

"It is hard to work in a place where I have already decided to leave."