MIDDLESBROUGH must clear a daunting double hurdle if Owen Hargreaves and George Boateng are to form a new-look midfield at the Riverside.

Bayern Munich chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has insisted that England World Cup star Hargreaves will honour the remaining two years of his contract.

Canadian-born Hargreaves, 21, is coveted by a clutch of Premiership clubs and Boro are the latest to be credited with an interest.

Manager Steve McClaren, England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson's assistant coach, knows Hargreaves well following their Far-East experience this summer.

But former West Germany striker Rummenigge, aware that Arsenal are monitoring £8m-rated Hargreaves, said: "I can categorically rule out him leaving the club before his contract expires in 2004.''

Meanwhile, Aston Villa rebel Boateng cast doubt on suggestions that he is lined up for a move to Boro by rubbishing the source of the story.

Agent Barry Silkman, who has been speaking on Boateng's behalf, insisted Boro had failed with a £4m bid for the Dutchman.

But Boateng, whose future with Villa is uncertain, yesterday maintained he had never even heard of Silkman.

He said: "There have been some stories about me in the newspapers and on the internet about a certain man called Barry Silkman, claiming to be my agent.

"I've never met this Mr Silkman, I've never spoken to him, in fact I'd never heard of him until today.

"He claims to be my agent, which he's not, and he has said so much stuff about my situation with Aston Villa, which I haven't told him.

"I don't know where he gets this kind of information from, but it is definitely not from me.

"The things he has said about me and my situation are definitely not my vision."

Speaking on his personal website at Icons.com, Boateng added: "My agent is a Dutchman based in Holland. His name is Siggi Lens and he's definitely not an Englishman.

"Aston Villa and I are planning to have talks this week. We'll take it from there."

Villa are said to have slapped a £7m valuation on 26-year-old Boateng, who is seeking a move.

And Silkman, who as a much-travelled player had spells with Crystal Palace, Manchester City and QPR, said: "Villa turned down Boro's offer.

"They set a ludicrous fee and are going to have to play by the rules because he will go to FIFA to set a fee.

"George will absolutely, definitely not be staying at Villa because he doesn't want to stay.

"He doesn't want to go public on the reason, but is adamant he will not be reporting for pre-season training.

"Hopefully, it won't come to that and he'll be sold before Thursday, but he will not be setting foot at Villa other than for the meeting. It's got absolutely zero to do with finances. He has been there for three years and done well. The club have also done well out of him.

"He will sit out the remaining two years of his contract if necessary and not kick a ball at all, and that is in no one's interests."

Boateng was first linked with Boro six weeks ago when it became clear McClaren was likely to lose out-of-contract midfield duo Paul Ince and Robbie Mustoe.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.