WITH AZ Alkmaar refusing to lower their £4m valuation of Gretar Steinsson, Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate is considering a move for Charlton's Luke Young as he attempts to solve his right-back dilemma.

Southgate has held a number of discussions with Alkmaar representatives over Steinsson, but the Boro boss is understood to value the Iceland international at around half the fee that his Dutch employers are seeking.

That has forced him to look elsewhere, with Jose Bosingwa and Philipp Degen among a number of full-backs that have been considered this summer.

Neither has shown much of an inclination to move to the Riverside, though, forcing Southgate to cast his net even wider as he attempts to provide competition for Andrew Davies, currently the only fit right-back on Middlesbrough's books.

His latest search has taken him to Young, a player who is also interesting Aston Villa and Newcastle.

The England international is determined to leave the Valley following Charlton's relegation from the Premiership, and Addicks boss Alan Pardew has reluctantly accepted that he will be losing the services of his side's most reliable defender.

Southgate is aware of Pardew's position but, with the Charlton boss quoting a fee of around £4.5m for the 27-year-old, Young hardly represents a cheaper alternative to the experienced Steinsson.

"I appreciate that, at this stage of his career, he (Young) wants to play in the Premier League," said Pardew. "He's a difficult price because of his age and because he's an England player, but I'm sure one or two clubs will come and he'll be interested."

Southgate is also monitoring Christian Wilhelmsson's attempts to earn himself a £2m move from French side Nantes.

The Swedish winger has held discussions with two English clubs and, while Manchester City have emerged as favourites to secure his signature following their appointment of Sven-Goran Eriksson, Boro have not yet dropped out of the race.

"Nothing is decided yet, but we are currently talking to two teams from England," said Wilhelmsson's agent, Fabio Alho. "He appears quite cheap for a player of his ability."

Setanta Sports will televise live coverage of Middlesbrough's opening pre-season game against Schalke tomorrow. Kick-off in Austria is 5.05pm UK time.