Middlesbrough have played down talk they could
sell defender David Wheater following relegation from the Premier
League.
The powerful 22-year-old stopper has been linked with a move to
Aston Villa as Martin O'Neill seeks defensive reinforcements
following Martin Laursen's retirement.
It had been thought Villa could be ready to test Boro's resolve
with an £8million bid for the England Under 21 international,
however, the North East outfit are not looking to sell.
Boro's chief executive Keith Lamb is delighted Wheater recently
expressed his desire to help the team win promotion from the
Championship and says the club are looking to build their defence
around him.
"We are looking forward to David becoming the cornerstone of our
defence in future years," Lamb told the Evening
Gazette.
"We are absolutely delighted that David has come out publicly
and said that he is staying at Middlesbrough.
"We have a fight on our hands and David is up for the
fight."