With the World Cup in South Africa less than a year away, Tuncay is desperate to secure the move that will keep him in his country’s plans for the finals.
While playing again for Fenerbahce would do just that, the Istanbul club are not in a position to compete with Premiership clubs because of his high wages.
It is that situation which has left Fenerbahce out of the running, with Middlesbrough likely to receive more than £7m for a player who could then expect his wages on Teesside – reportedly worth £60,000-a-week – to be matched in this country.
Tuncay: “Football in England takes over your life with how I played.
“There is contact with several teams but I cannot say how much or when until any formal offers have been made.
“There is interest from not just England, but Germany and Spain, but I want to play for another three years in England – like Tugay (the former Blackburn midfielder) did. He was very good in the UK and has left his mark.”