MIDDLESBROUGH manager Steve McClaren is reassessing his options after Muzzy Izzet rejected a £6m move to the Riverside.

Izzet told McClaren on Friday night that he had chosen to stay at Filbert Street, despite a bumper pay rise on offer for the midfielder. It is now understood that Boro are close to completing a deal for Panathanaikos striker Derreck Owusu Boateng.

Boateng, an 18-year-old from Ghana, is valued at £6m and has attracted interest from European giants Barcelona and Lazio - but he wants to play in the Premiership. Regardless of whether Boateng makes a move to Boro, it was still a blow to McClaren to hear Izzet's decision to remain with relegation-threatened Leicester.

McClaren, whose side made it through to the last eight of the FA Cup on Saturday with a 1-0 win over Blackburn, said: "The Muzzy Izzet deal is dead in the water. He's actually decided to stay at Leicester.

''It is a disappointment. I think he would have been a terrific asset to this football club but it's not to be.

''I've had a little chat with the player, the deal's dead and he wants to stay at Leicester. That's his prerogative and players are always in a position to do that.''

Izzet revealed that he was impressed with Boro's set-up but he felt the time was not right for him to leave Leicester.

''Middlesbrough made me a fantastic offer and I was very impressed with Steve McClaren and the facilities the club had to offer,'' he said.

''I would have been significantly more financially secure by accepting Middlesbrough's contract, but this was not about money. I talked it through for a long time with my family and I felt that at this moment the move is not quite right for me.

''It has been a difficult few days for me and I am pleased the matter has now been resolved.

''When I spoke to Steve McClaren about my decision on the phone, he was first class and wished me all the best.''

McClaren has already lost out in the race to sign Manchester United strikers Diego Forlan and Dwight Yorke, and Blackburn beat Boro to Andy Cole.

Meanwhile, Lens have confirmed their 31-year-old midfielder Michael Debeve is in talks with the Teesside club. Debeve had a two-day trial with Boro with a view to securing a loan deal until the end of the season.

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