However, Gill’s Boro counterpart Keith Lamb is hopeful of pushing through a deal when Smith returns from their tour of Asia and claims a fee was agreed earlier this month.

Boro face competition from Everton and Aston Villa among possible others and Lamb said: “Our position hasn’t changed.

“If you go back a few weeks it was well documented that we had agreed a fee with Manchester United for his transfer and were given permission to talk to Alan.

“Unfortunately Alan was away on holiday and when he came back he went straight off on tour with Manchester United, so we haven’t had the opportunity to speak to Alan.

“But I’m sure that he is well aware of our interest and I’m sure that in the next few days the opportunity to speak to Alan will present itself.

“And if it’s right for Alan and if it’s right for Middlesbrough, then I’m sure that it’s something that we might well conclude, you never know.”

Smith, aged 26, faces an uncertain future at Old Trafford, with first-team chances appearing limited, especially if Sir Alex Ferguson can tie up the complex transfer of Carlos Tevez from West Ham.

Boro boss Gareth Southgate is also keeping his fingers crossed that Smith will agree to enter the next chapter of his career at the Riverside.

He added: “It’s a situation that we are monitoring very closely.

“It’s apparent that his future at Manchester United isn’t certain and he falls into the category of being a quality player and a good character.

“That is of course someone that would interest us.

“I think the situation is that he understandably wants to stay and fight for a place at Manchester United.

“Nothing else entered his mind over the last couple of weeks.

“Now it would appear that that situation is changing by the day, so if he wants to move on obviously the mindset changes.”

One player who Southgate has already convinced to move north is Luke Young, who has completed a £2.5million transfer from Charlton.

Southgate said Young – his fourth summer signing – “ticks all of the boxes” as he looks to turn Boro into a more energetic side.

“First and foremost Luke is a quality player, a good defender who is also very comfortable on the ball,” said Southgate.

“He fits the bill for exactly what I look for in a full-back.

“He is a fit lad, gets forward well and brings experience and is a man – we have got a lot of youngsters in the side.

“He has been captain of his club, so he is a leader as well, and will fit into the dressing room very well – he ticks all of the boxes.”

Southgate again stressed that he is not planning to part company with Ayegbeni Yakubu after Birmingham today became the latest club to be linked with the Nigeria international, who has hit 35 goals for Boro in the last two seasons.

“There is no truth in it, we’ve had this speculation all summer,” Southgate added. I’ve had several chats with him and he is very happy.

“We have had no contact with other clubs and wouldn’t particularly welcome any. As far as he is concerned he is getting on with his job and enjoying his football.

“I think he has been impressed with the players that we’ve brought in, I think all of the players that are here welcome signings like Luke Young and Tuncay Sanli, so I think people can see what we are trying to do here.

“There is an energy and an excitement about the place and we want to keep that going forward.”