It may just be a case of ‘don’t let the facts get in the way of a good story’ but a number of journalists seem to be particularly insistent on this one, so I am starting to believe that there might be something in it.
The latest batch of stories came after Southgate told journalists that "in an ideal world I’d be playing European football in the Champions League". But that by itself can hardly be taken to mean that he wants to leave the Riverside - after all what would Steve McClaren and the Boro fans think if their captain wasn’t ambitious?
Perhaps of more relevance is that at the £2million quoted he would be an excellent addition to the squad and could potentially form a great partnership with Jonathan Woodgate, while also playing a vital role in the development of Titus Bramble, Gary Caldwell and Steven Taylor.
And if Nikos Dabizas and Steve Caldwell do leave in the summer signing another central defender will be amongst Sir Bobby’s top priorities.
Time will tell if there is any truth in the story but one thing is for certain, and that is that Southgate is exactly the sort of player who would bring about an immediate improvement in the first team.
Meanwhile there were no new rumours in the weekend’s papers with supposed deals for Simao, Javier de Pedro, Wayne Bridge, James McFadden, Brett Emerton, Isaac Okoronkwo and Michael Bridges all still reported to be nearing completion or postponed until January.