Middlesbrough are reportedly attempting to sign Brazil international striker Fred, who is out of favour with French champions Lyon.Boro boss Gareth Southgate is desperate to add firepower to his squad in the January transfer window, with the Premier League strugglers having been linked with a host of strikers.

Heerenveen hit-man Afonso Alves has been mooted as a possible target, as has Sheffield United's Rob Hulse, but it is Fred who has shot to the top of Boro's wish-list.

Fred is currently 'persona non grata' at the Stade Gerland, having returned to training late following the winter break.

The former Cruzeiro ace, whose full name is Frederico Chaves Guedes, has been told he will be allowed to leave Lyon, should a suitable offer be forthcoming.

West Ham and Tottenham have both been linked with the gifted 24-year-old but it is Middlesbrough who have lodged the first enquiry.

Whether Fred, who has scored five goals in nine games for Brazil and was a member of their World Cup 2006 squad, would be willing to swap the top of Ligue 1 for a battle to beat the drop in England remains a topic of conjecture.

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