Middlesbrough are chasing VfL Wolfsburg's 25-year-old central defender, Alexander Madlung. The 6 ft. 4 stopper has attracted the attentions of Gareth Southgate who is currently on the market for potential defensive reinforcements after the Boro defence looked worryingly inept against West Ham at the weekend.

Alexander Madlung has two caps for Germany, and has been involved in Germany's recent qualification campaign for Euro 2008. He made his international debut in October 2006 in a 2-0 friendly win over Georgia.

Madlung has two years left on his current contract and Wolfsburg had been keen to tie the player to a longer deal.

The player has a reputation as a tough-tackling defender with an aggressive streak that has caused him some trouble earlier in his career. He famously fell out with his old coach at Hertha Berlin after he was sent off 3 times in 5 games.

Tottenham and Man City were both linked with Madlung last season. Wolfsburg value the player at around £3 million, but with the player left with 18 months on his contract and eager to move to a bigger club, may sell to Middlesbrough at a cut price.