WITH another Premiership club prepared to compete with Portsmouth to prise Ayegbeni Yakubu from Middlesbrough, the Nigeria striker has admitted he could be tempted to move from Teesside this summer.

The Northern Echo has already revealed that Yakubu's former manager Harry Redknapp wants to take the striker back to Fratton Park, just two years after competing a £7.5m transfer away from the south coast.

And now it has emerged that another unnamed, wealthy top-flight club are preparing an offer, believed to be around the £12m mark being suggested, for an African that has scored 35 goals in 86 starts for Boro.

West Ham, who tried to sign Mark Viduka before the Aussie opted for Newcastle and are in the process of pursuing Charlton's Darren Bent, are known to be admirers, while his record is sure to have alerted other clubs.

Speaking from Nigeria, where he has been preparing for tomorrow's African Nations Cup qualifier in Niger, Yakubu insists he remains happy with life on Teesside.

But he does admit he does not know what the future holds, suggesting he could have played his last game for Middlesbrough if the right deal comes along.

"I am happy at Boro and I have never said I wanted to leave," said Yakubu, from the Super Eagles' training base. "I have some fantastic team-mates and the fans are great. "Boro are one of the big clubs in England and we have the chance to challenge the top four and play in Europe every year.

"But in football you never know. Anything can happen. If a big club comes with a very big amount of money, anything is possible."

Having learnt recently that Viduka has already decided to reject a new contract at Middlesbrough, manager Gareth Southgate has been actively working on strengthening rather than weakening his squad.

He has already agreed deals for strikers Tuncay Sanli and Jeremie Aliadiere, although neither are completed yet, while the sale of Yakubu could mean a further forward has to be targeted.

And, speaking earlier this week, chairman Steve Gibson insists he expects to see the 24-year-old working under Southgate's guidance come the start of pre-season training on July 4.

"There's many players I want and just because I want them doesn't necessarily mean I'm going to get them," said Gibson. "We start pre-season on July 4 and I expect Yakubu to be here."

Gibson still relishes the role as chairman and owner of Middlesbrough and insists he is not interested in selling up.

Birmingham City, Manchetser City and Blackburn are the latest Premiership clubs to have been targeted by possible takeovers but Gibson is having none of that.

"Yes, I do. I really do," said Gibson, when asked if he enjoys and remains as focused on the job now as he ever has been. "I really enjoy it. I am selective who I have around me because I don't take anything out of the club except enjoyment and fun.

"If you can do that then the camaraderie can be brilliant."

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