Arsenal Agree To Send Justin Hoyte to Middlesbrough

Justin Hoyte, the 23-year-old Arsenal right back seems set to land at the the Riverside Stadium and formally showcase his skills to the anxious Boro fans. Boro’s bid for Justin Hoyte is believed to be in the region of £3m.

Hoyte joined Arsenal as an 11-year-old but failed to establish himself in the first team and spent the 2005-06 season on loan at Sunderland.

The talented player has yet to make an impact on Arsene Wenger's footballing mind, as well as the fans at the Emirates Stadium. Scoring one goal in 68 appearances, while mostly featuring in the League Cup where Wenger utilizes to give younger players more experience, had him scratched off the Arsenal squad.

The 23-year-old right-back would be a replacement for Luke Young , who signed for Aston Villa last week, a year after joining Middlesbrough from Charlton Athletic.

"We have agreed a fee with Arsenal and we have now been given permission to speak to Justin, which we will be doing in the next 24 to 48 hours," Middlesbrough chief executive Keith Lamb told the International Herald Tribune.

Boro's decision to sell Luke Young to bitter rivals Aston Villa last week, proved to be a baffling account for the Middlesbrough supporters.

Another fit with Middlesbrough

In addition to targeting Hoyte, Gareth Southgate has set an eye to sign Vitesse Arnhem’s Dutch Under-21 international right-back Paul Verhaegh, according to the Evening Gazette.

"He was a member of the Dutch squad that won the UEFA U-21 title in 2006, the same summer he signed for Arnhem," Eric Paylor of the Evening Gazette wrote.

"Verhaegh can play at both right-back and left-back and therefore could cover both positions on Teesside," he further added.

Midfield Controversy for Boro

Julio Arca's injury, that will side-line him for approximately six weeks, has drawn attention to the player that will temporarily fill his shoes.

The possible candidates include: Gary O'Neil, Didier Digard, and Mohammed Shawky.

O'Neil has the upper hand in this situation due to his experience with Boro's style of play, along with experience regarding the Premiership. If this is not the case, however, Digard's chances become evident.

Shawky's adaptation to the English Premiership could not have been a more impressive one. He has participated in most of the Preseason games, while playing in two preseason games without being substituted.