Boro to Swoop for Harper

With Wigan closing in on Middlesbrough`s defensive midfielder Lee Catermole, it appears Gareth Southgate is preparing to swoop for Royals midfielder James Harper.

Dave Kitson and Glen Little have already left the Madejski Stadium this summer and long serving Harper is likely to be next.

Boro have already had a £3.5m bid turned down for the midfielder, as the Royals are looking for in excess of £4.5m for the former Arsenal trainee.

Catermole, who was withdrawn from the Middlesbrough squad who faced Celtic Tuesday night, could complete a £3.5m move to Wigan this week, which would finance the move for Harper.

Reading are holding out for as much as they can for the man they signed back in 2001, as Arsenal will receive a substantial sell on fee.

Crystal Palace midfielder Ben Watson is being touted as a possible replacement for Harper, but the Royals will face competition from QPR and Nottingham Forest.