Viduka has yet to sign a new deal with Boro - and fans chanted 'Sign him now' after he scored twice in their 4-1 destruction of Watford at the weekend.

But now reports in the UK say the Italian Serie B side are desperate to bring in the burly Melbournite as they fight for a Serie A place.

The three-year megamoney deal from Genoa is possible because Viduka can walk out of Boro without the Italians paying a transfer fee.

Viduka is believed to be wanting a long-term contract at Boro and an assurance the board will back manager Gareth Southgate in the transfer market at the end of the season.

But Genoa's offer will be tempting.

Viduka's agent Steve Kutner told The Sun in the UK: "Mark has had a very good offer from Italy but we are still talking to Boro and we expect a decision in the next couple of weeks."

Boro boss Southgate added: "Talks are ongoing and Mark is having a think about things.

"I am very relaxed about it. He knows my position on it and I respect the fact that he wants time to think about things."