Asian reports this week linked the Hilal striker with a move to the Yorkshire club, but Boro's official website confirmed that 'the reports were wide of the mark'.

It was also claimed that Boro's Egyptian striker Ahmed Hossam 'Mido' was urging club officials to sign the Saudi ace.

Al-Qahtani, who is desperate for a Europe move, has a superb record of 44 goals in 54 internationals for Saudi Arabia.

The 25-year-old forward joined Hilal in 2005 from Al-Qadsiya in a record $10.7million deal.