Middlesbrough are facing a fight to keep unhappy defender Gianluca Festa at the Riverside.

Chelsea are ready to move for the former Inter Milan centre-back, who has refused to withdraw a transfer request made two months ago.

Boro now want him to stay but Festa would not be drawn on his future: "What is important is the club, not me. I will give 100 per cent to make sure we are safe," he said.

The 32-year-old asked to go after being left out by Bryan Robson earlier this season. His decision was then criticised by the Boro boss.

But he has been a major part of the Boro revival, a run of four wins and three draws, after being restored to the side by Terry Venables because of injuries and suspension to others.

Venables said: "The situation is nothing to do with me. It is something between Bryan and Gianluca."

Festa is known to Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri from his time at Cagliari and could be a planned replacement for Frank Leboeuf if the Frenchman's move to Monaco goes through. Festa has been a success since a £2.5m move from the Serie A giants and is a popular figure with supporters.

Boro yesterday dropped their interest in Bradford City's Dean Windass after being quoted £1.5m.

They offered £1m for the midfielder/striker but declined to raise the figure.

"We made an inquiry last week but we won't be taking it any further," said Robson. "We were interested in the player and maybe people were expecting us to go back but we won't be doing that."

They were also beaten in the race to sign one of the most highly-rated young players in the world when Australian Jay Lucas agreed a three-year deal with Southampton.

Boro were one of a number of clubs bidding for the 16-year-old striker who plays for Aussie champions Wollongong Wolves.

Lucas, currently part of the Wollongong squad in Papua New Guinea attempting to win a place in the World Club Championship, has signed a one-year scholarship and will start a three-year contract at the Dell when he is 17.

"There were a few clubs who were asking me to join them, including Middlesbrough, but I decided Southampton would be best," he said.

Boro already have four Aussies in their squad and are pursuing a fifth, Feyenoord's 21-year-old midfielder Brett Emerton.

l Boro have slashed FA Cup prices at the Riverside because they fear fans will shun their fourth-round tie. Boro have nearly halved the cost of some tickets for the game against either Wimbledon or Notts County a week on Saturday.

Their third-round tie at Bradford was watched by only just over 7,000. Tickets go on general sale on Monday starting at £13, with under-16's and over-65's able to see the match for £5.

l Former Boro defender Alan Kernaghan has admitted that next season will be his last. The 33-year-old St Johnstone stopper has suffered with a pelvic problem which has needed three operations in the last four years.