MIDDLESBROUGH continue to hold discussions over Charlie Goode and Kieffer Moore, but remain adamant they will not pay over the odds for either player.

Neil Warnock’s attempts to add to his squad have been thwarted in the last week, with Grant Hall still the only player to have joined since the transfer window reopened, but while he had previously expressed a desire to be well into his squad restructuring project by now, the Boro boss is appreciative of the need to stick to a strict budget.

In the case of Goode, Boro are refusing to match Northampton’s seven-figure valuation of the centre-half. When it comes to Moore, while the Teessiders are understood to have agreed a sale price with the administrators in charge of Wigan Athletic, they have so far been unable to agree personal terms with the striker and his representatives.

Boro officials have tabled two bids for Goode, who led Northampton to promotion from League Two last term. The first, of around £500,000, was rejected, while the second was being discussed by the Cobblers hierarchy today.

Northampton boss Keith Curle has publicly insisted he does not have to sell his club’s prize asset, but privately there is an acceptance that a sale is likely. However, with a number of Championship clubs having expressed an interest, the Northampton board is determined to hold out for as long as possible in order to get the best possible price.

Wigan’s administrators have agreed to sell Moore for around £1.8m, and have agreed the framework of a deal with Cardiff and Stoke as well as Boro. However, while all three clubs have held talks with Moore’s negotiating team, none have been able to agree terms with the Wales international.

That strongly suggests he is pitching his wage demands too high, with the vast majority of Championship clubs looking to reduce their salary commitments next season.

Stoke are believed to have withdrawn their interest, switching their attention to Kayden Jackson instead, but Boro and Cardiff continue to talk to Moore, who scored ten Championship goals as Wigan were relegated last season.

The 28-year-old is not Warnock’s only attacking option though, and the Boro boss is ready to start looking elsewhere unless there is a change of attitude in the next few days.

The contract offers made to George Friend and Marvin Johnson remain on the table, but the former in particular is attracting strong interest from elsewhere. Birmingham and Nottingham Forest are among the clubs to have been in contact with the full-back.