Middlesbrough are close to agreeing a deal to sell Welsh international goalkeeper Mark Crossley to Fulham.
The West London outfit are seeking goalkeeping reinforcements after shipping out Maik Taylor on a season-long loan deal to Birmingham City.
Crossley had emerged as the prime target for Fulham to fill Taylor’s place as cover for Dutch international Edwin Van der Sar.
Early speculation had suggested Boro would include Crossley in a deal to snare Fulham’s transfer-listed midfielder Sean Davis.
Boro boss Steve McClaren is a firm admirer of Davis and is mulling over a swoop for the former England Under-21 international.
But Crossley is tipped to move to Loftus Road in a straight cash deal with Boro believed to want in the region of £500,000 for the 34-year-old.
The Welsh international is a former international colleague of Fulham manager Chris Coleman and could be set to link up with his old team-mate in the coming days.
The 34-year-old joined Boro on a free transfer from Nottingham Forest in 2000 and signed a new contract last season.
Crossley has proved more than an able deputy for Mark Schwarzer when called upon and is a very popular figure with Boro fans despite only making 23 appearances for the club.
A friend and former international team mate of Fulham boss Chris Coleman, Crossley has always said that he has no desire to leave Boro, but at the same time recognises the need for first team football as he bids to make the Welsh team on course for the Euro 2004 Championships in Portugal.
