Middlesbrough want to swap homesick O'Neil for Cottagers star Bullard

Middlesbrough are proposing a swap deal with homesick winger Gary O'Neil and Fulham midfielder Jimmy Bullard.

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson insists Bullard is not for sale, but any hint he would be allowed to leave would spark interest from Aston Villa, Newcastle and Sunderland.

Boro boss Gareth Southgate is willing to use O'Neil in a deal after the former Portsmouth midfielder's family failed to settle in the North East.

Danny Murphy, the goal hero of Fulham's last-gasp relegation escape, has signed a new contract. Fulham have also signed former Bolton midfielder Andranik on a free.