Middlesbrough have moved ahead in the race to sign James Harper after reportedly tabling a £3.5million for the Reading midfielder.Harper has been heavily linked with Fulham and West Ham this summer, with Stoke and Bolton among other Premier League clubs to have checked on his availability.

But Boro are the first side to make an offer, according to Wednesday newspaper reports, and are likely to be given permission to open talks with the former Arsenal trainee this week.

Reading will hold out for the maximum fee they can get as the Gunners are due 30% of the fee, but the Teessiders bid of around £3.5million should be accepted.

Steve Coppell had hoped to keep hold of Harper but the 27-year-old has made it clear he does not want to play in the Championship this season and will be allowed to move on, despite having two years left on his contract at the Madejski Stadium.

Coppell told the Reading Evening Gazette: "We don't want to lose players, but I fully accept we are going to because we have players who are desirable.

"You look at Ronaldo at Manchester United - no one is immune to being vulnerable to so-called perceived bigger and better clubs. We are in a vulnerable position and we have to be flexible."

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