Boro give Spurs permission to talk to £7m Woodgate

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Boro have also given Spurs permission to talk to Woodgate about personal terms, but the club face a possible battle with Newcastle for his signature.

Kevin Keegan is understood to be keen to bring Woodgate back to St James' Park - where he played 28 games in 2003-04 - and his club are preparing a counter bid.

However, should Spurs agree terms, they would expect the 28-year-old to pass a rigorous medical because of his injury-hit history.

Woodgate first came to prominence under David O'Leary at Leeds United before switching to Newcastle for £9m in 2003.

His impressive displays on Tyneside helped him secure a £13m move to Real Madrid in 2004, but his career in Spain was blighted by a serious thigh problem.

He returned to the Premier League with hometown club Middlesbrough in 2006 on a season-long loan before completing a permanent switch.

Given the choice, the player would prefer to stay in the north east, but he is happy to see what Spurs have to offer.

Middlesbrough have been fighting to keep hold of Stewart Downing, who Spurs bid £8m for earlier this month, but appear less committed to Woodgate as they are looking to raise funds to sign Heerenveen striker Afonso Alves.

Meanwhile, Keegan could lure Pascal Chimbonda away from north London after the right-back's contract talks at Spurs went sour.

The 28-year-old has reportedly said that Keegan is prepared to pay him more money than Spurs.

According to the Sun, he told close friends: "I am definitely leaving Spurs. It's all about the money. I don't care about the final, I don't care about the cup."