Subject to his international clearance Pogatetz will officially become a Boro on 1st July. Boro agreed a fee with his club, Bayer Leverkusen, that could rise to £1.8m depending an appearances.
The Austrian has been given time to rest and will join the Boro squad on 18th July, after their return from pre-season training in Portugal.
His fitness is not a worry, since he has been playing for Spartak Moscow in the Russian league, which is still in progress. In fact his last game was on Saturday.
The 22-year-old has spent much of his career with the German side , but has also had loan spells in Switzerland, Austria and Russia. He has played 15 times for his country.
Yakubu Aiyegbeni - IN
Boro will almost certainly have to go through the appeals process to obtain a work permit for the 22-year-old Nigerian.
The Boro bound forward has failed to play in enough international games to meet the Home Office criteria of 75% in the last two years.
However, Boro have been preparing their case for appeal, including a letter from the Nigerian FA stating that his appearances have been restricted because of a dispute between the player and the Nigerian FA.
Previously . . .
Emanuel Pogatetz – IN ???
It is now believed that the signing of Pogatetz from Bayer Leverkusen will go ahead next week for a fee of £2m. The Austrian star impressed boss Steve McClaren when he played against Boro in the UEFA Cup last season, whilst on loan at Grazer AK.
Stephen Appiah – IN ???
Boro have intensified their interest in the Ghanaian, after initially trying to bring the 24-year-old to the Riverside on a season long loan. Reports suggest that Boro are now trying to sign the midfielder for £3m on a permanent deal. Juventus were looking for a fee in the region of £5m but it is now believed that they are willing to accept a smaller fee.
Other news
Newcastle continue to be linked with Mark Viduka, Kieron Dyer or Craig Bellamy are being cited in a proposed swap deal.
Wigan and West Brom will battle over the signature of Szilard Nemeth.
Liverpool remain favourites to sign Bolo Zenden should he decide to leave the Riverside.
Steve Gibson - Comment
The Boro chairman revealed the news after announing that Boro boss Steve McClaren was ready to sign a new four year deal.
Gibson said "I don't think it's any secret that we're close to finalising a deal for Potagetz. We think he will strengthen the squad and there are a few details to sort."
He did not rule out further signings, "We're always looking to improve the squad and we would like to strengthen the midfield." he said.
The Boro bound forward has failed to play in enough international games to meet the Home Office criteria of 75% in the last two years.
However, Boro have been preparing their case for appeal, including a letter from the Nigerian FA stating that his appearances have been restricted because of a dispute between the player and the Nigerian FA.
Previously . . .
Emanuel Pogatetz – IN ???
It is now believed that the signing of Pogatetz from Bayer Leverkusen will go ahead next week for a fee of £2m. The Austrian star impressed boss Steve McClaren when he played against Boro in the UEFA Cup last season, whilst on loan at Grazer AK.
Stephen Appiah – IN ???
Boro have intensified their interest in the Ghanaian, after initially trying to bring the 24-year-old to the Riverside on a season long loan. Reports suggest that Boro are now trying to sign the midfielder for £3m on a permanent deal. Juventus were looking for a fee in the region of £5m but it is now believed that they are willing to accept a smaller fee.
Other news
Newcastle continue to be linked with Mark Viduka, Kieron Dyer or Craig Bellamy are being cited in a proposed swap deal.
Wigan and West Brom will battle over the signature of Szilard Nemeth.
Liverpool remain favourites to sign Bolo Zenden should he decide to leave the Riverside.
Steve Gibson - Comment
The Boro chairman revealed the news after announing that Boro boss Steve McClaren was ready to sign a new four year deal.
Gibson said "I don't think it's any secret that we're close to finalising a deal for Potagetz. We think he will strengthen the squad and there are a few details to sort."
He did not rule out further signings, "We're always looking to improve the squad and we would like to strengthen the midfield." he said.
Emanuel Pogatetz – IN ???
Some reports suggest that Boro are cose to finalising a deal for the Bayer Leverkusen star. Bayer have reluctantly agreed to let the 22-year-old left back go. A fee of around £2m has been quoted.
Rene Aufhauser – IN ???
It would appear that Fulham will win the race to sign the Austrian from Grazer AK, who has also attracted interest from Everton.
Bolo Zenden – OUT ???
The Dutchman has now attracted interest from Newcastle and Benfica. The latter can offer Champions League football after winning the Portugese league this season. Bolo's contract with Boro expires at the end of the month.
Zat Knight - IN ???
Steve McClaren has been linked with a move for Fulham's Zat Knight. The Boro boss knows the yougsters cababilities having coached him while on duty for England in the USA recently.
Szilard Nemeth - OUT ???
Wigan Athletic boss Paul Jewell is considering making a move for Boro's Slovakian striker, in a bid to bolster the attack for the Premiership's new boys.
Olivier Bernard - IN ???
The Frenchman could return to the North East after just six months on the south coast, after he offered himself to Boro. He could provide important cover for Franck Queudrue at left back, however Boro have already made enquiries about Emanuel Pagatetz from Graz, who could be available for around £2m.
Mark Viduka - OUT ???
Talk on Tyneside suggests that Newcastle may make a move for Boro's Mark Viduka. It is understood Boro boss Steve McClaren will let the big Aussie go, at the right price!
Stewart Downing - OUT ???
It was reported in The Times yesterday that Martin Jol rates Stewart Downing as one of the best left wingers in the country and would like to take him to White Hart Lane.
Matthew Upson – IN ???
Boro were linked with Upson after he refused to sign an extension of his contract at St. Andrews. He stated that he needs to be playing in Europe at this stage of his career. And, of course, Boro can offer that to him.
Mark Wilson - OUT
After four years at the Riverside, Willo has joined Dallas Burn in the United States. The ex-Manchester United youngster who had loan spells at Stoke, Swansea, Sheffield Wednesday, Doncaster and Livingston started just 13 games for Boro.
Igor Tudor – IN ???
Steve McClaren and his team have watched the Croatian during his loan spell at Siena. The imposing defender has been with Juventus for seven years.
Stephen Appiah – IN ???
Boro have made approaches to Juventus regarding the 24-year-old Ghanaian. The midfielder has struggled to keep a regular place this season at the Stadio delle Alpi.
Szilard Nemeth – OUT ???
Szil has turned down the chance to join Russian UEFA Cup winners CSKA Moscow. It’s also rumoured that ex-Boro boss Bryan Robson is keen on taking him to the Hawthorns.
Massimo Maccarone – OUT ???
It is thought Boro will accept a cut-price £2m for the Italian. Siena would appear favourites after avoiding relegation from Serie A with the help of Macca.
Bolo Zenden – OUT ???
The out-of-contract midfielder has been linked with Liverpool, but Boro remain favourites to win his signature.
Radhi Jaidi – IN ???
The Bolton defender handed in a transfer request at Bolton and Boro were one of the first clubs linked with the 29-year-old Tunisian.
Figo – IN ???
Boro chief executive Keith Lamb has denied rumours that Boro would make a move for Figo, who is unhappy at his first team opportunities at the Bernabeu.
Emanuel Pogatetz – IN ???
Boro have been linked with the Bayer Leverkusen star who played against Boro whilst on loan at Grazer AK. He has since been on loan at Spartak Moscow, but Bayer are keen to hold on to the 22-year-old left back.
Rene Aufhauser – IN ???
Another who played against Boro for Grazer AK. The Austrian star has also been linked with Fulham.
Ricardo Rocha – IN ???
Boro have been linked with the Benfica defender before, but news that he is unhappy with his current salary has alerted several clubs.
Anatolii Tymoschuk – IN ???
Boro have been linked with the Ukranian midfielder who is hoping to move from Shakhtar Donetsk.
Some reports suggest that Boro are cose to finalising a deal for the Bayer Leverkusen star. Bayer have reluctantly agreed to let the 22-year-old left back go. A fee of around £2m has been quoted.
Rene Aufhauser – IN ???
It would appear that Fulham will win the race to sign the Austrian from Grazer AK, who has also attracted interest from Everton.
Bolo Zenden – OUT ???
The Dutchman has now attracted interest from Newcastle and Benfica. The latter can offer Champions League football after winning the Portugese league this season. Bolo's contract with Boro expires at the end of the month.
Zat Knight - IN ???
Steve McClaren has been linked with a move for Fulham's Zat Knight. The Boro boss knows the yougsters cababilities having coached him while on duty for England in the USA recently.
Szilard Nemeth - OUT ???
Wigan Athletic boss Paul Jewell is considering making a move for Boro's Slovakian striker, in a bid to bolster the attack for the Premiership's new boys.
Olivier Bernard - IN ???
The Frenchman could return to the North East after just six months on the south coast, after he offered himself to Boro. He could provide important cover for Franck Queudrue at left back, however Boro have already made enquiries about Emanuel Pagatetz from Graz, who could be available for around £2m.
Mark Viduka - OUT ???
Talk on Tyneside suggests that Newcastle may make a move for Boro's Mark Viduka. It is understood Boro boss Steve McClaren will let the big Aussie go, at the right price!
Stewart Downing - OUT ???
It was reported in The Times yesterday that Martin Jol rates Stewart Downing as one of the best left wingers in the country and would like to take him to White Hart Lane.
Matthew Upson – IN ???
Boro were linked with Upson after he refused to sign an extension of his contract at St. Andrews. He stated that he needs to be playing in Europe at this stage of his career. And, of course, Boro can offer that to him.
Mark Wilson - OUT
After four years at the Riverside, Willo has joined Dallas Burn in the United States. The ex-Manchester United youngster who had loan spells at Stoke, Swansea, Sheffield Wednesday, Doncaster and Livingston started just 13 games for Boro.
Igor Tudor – IN ???
Steve McClaren and his team have watched the Croatian during his loan spell at Siena. The imposing defender has been with Juventus for seven years.
Stephen Appiah – IN ???
Boro have made approaches to Juventus regarding the 24-year-old Ghanaian. The midfielder has struggled to keep a regular place this season at the Stadio delle Alpi.
Szilard Nemeth – OUT ???
Szil has turned down the chance to join Russian UEFA Cup winners CSKA Moscow. It’s also rumoured that ex-Boro boss Bryan Robson is keen on taking him to the Hawthorns.
Massimo Maccarone – OUT ???
It is thought Boro will accept a cut-price £2m for the Italian. Siena would appear favourites after avoiding relegation from Serie A with the help of Macca.
Bolo Zenden – OUT ???
The out-of-contract midfielder has been linked with Liverpool, but Boro remain favourites to win his signature.
Radhi Jaidi – IN ???
The Bolton defender handed in a transfer request at Bolton and Boro were one of the first clubs linked with the 29-year-old Tunisian.
Figo – IN ???
Boro chief executive Keith Lamb has denied rumours that Boro would make a move for Figo, who is unhappy at his first team opportunities at the Bernabeu.
Emanuel Pogatetz – IN ???
Boro have been linked with the Bayer Leverkusen star who played against Boro whilst on loan at Grazer AK. He has since been on loan at Spartak Moscow, but Bayer are keen to hold on to the 22-year-old left back.
Rene Aufhauser – IN ???
Another who played against Boro for Grazer AK. The Austrian star has also been linked with Fulham.
Ricardo Rocha – IN ???
Boro have been linked with the Benfica defender before, but news that he is unhappy with his current salary has alerted several clubs.
Anatolii Tymoschuk – IN ???
Boro have been linked with the Ukranian midfielder who is hoping to move from Shakhtar Donetsk.