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Boro let Woodgate talk to Spurs

Woodgate has played 16 times for Middlesbrough this season Middlesbrough centre-back Jonathan Woodgate is in talks with Tottenham Hotspur over a move to White Hart Lane, the BBC understands. The 28-year-old has been linked with Newcastle but Spurs are now believed to be closing in on his signature.

Spurs assistant boss Gus Poyet told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I hope they can get in touch with him and try to sort something out as he's a great player.

"He is definitely one of the options we are looking for."

BBC Tees reports that a transfer fee has been agreed and only personal terms need to be discussed.

Middlesbrough and Spurs both refused to confirm or deny the reports.

Woodgate joined hometown club Middlesbrough for £7m from Real Madrid last summer, after an impressive campaign on loan from the Spanish club last season.

A series of niggling injuries have troubled Woodgate this term and he is not in the squad for the FA Cup fourth round tie at Mansfield on Saturday.

Middlesbrough have David Wheater, Robert Huth, Emanuel Pogatetz, and Matthew Bates all competing for places in central defence.

On Thursday Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate said the club did not have to sell players unless it chose to.

"We wouldn't let anybody go unless we thought we were suitably covered in that position or had somebody else coming in who we thought could replace the player that was going," he said.

Poyet was also hopeful that striker Dimitar Berbatov would remain at White Hart Lane during the January transfer window.

The Bulgarian has been linked with a move away from the club but Poyet believes the Carling Cup final in February will persuade Berbatov to stay.

He said: "I have no doubts that Berbatov will play in that game.

"If (Chelsea owner) Roman Abramovich comes in with a £100m bid, it's something we can't control, but in normal conditions, Berbatov will be here."