Boro chief executive said "The manager and his staff have no time to be taking any notice of speculation, he's working hard and busily making plans for the new season with Middlesbrough."
On that front McClaren has muted that he would like to bring in two or three top quality players before the season kicks off in August. The transfer of Massimo Maccarone still has to be completed but Boro also continue to be linked with Muzzy Izzet, Matty Holland, Robbie Keane and several others, including Juninho.
It would seem more likely that Paul Ince and Robbie Mustoe will be leaving. They both become free agents on Monday and reports suggest that Ince will return to Italy while Mustoe could tie up a deal with Derby County within a week.