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“You know the one, the striker who scored that hat-trick against Manchester United in the Champions League.”

News that Boro were interested in signing Fenerbahce striker Tuncay was met by fans dashing to YouTube to watch the striker tearing United to bits.

On that performance you’d wonder why the Red Devils weren’t showing an interest in the Turkey international.

But Boro weren’t the only club to have their heads turned by Tuncay’s admittance that he had his heart set on a move to England,

“There are unconfirmed reports that Keith Lamb has arrived in Istanbul to talk to representatives of Turkish striker Tuncay Sanli,” reported the Gazette on this day in 2007.

“The out-of-contract Fenerbahce goalscorer has virtually issued a ‘come and get me’ plea to Premiership clubs, and has mentioned Boro as one of the clubs he would be interested in joining.

“Boro were alerted to the player’s availability as a result of his comments, and Lamb will want to find out the views of Sanli and his representative.”

Recruiting a centre-forward was top of Gareth Southgate’s list of summer priorities.

With Mark Viduka moving on, the Boro boss knew he was in need of firepower - and identified Tuncay as the ideal replacement.

With 77 goals in just over 200 games for the Turkish giants, he certainly had pedigree in front of goal.

One potential sticking point appeared to be the fact Boro couldn’t offer European football

But Lamb was said to ready to investigate the ins and outs of the situation.

“The Boro boss is currently working off a detailed list of possible targets, which could take Lamb to more than one destination during his fact-finding mission to the continent,” reported the Gazette.

Birmingham City were said to be one English club battling Boro for Tuncay’s signature while Olympiacos, Hertha Berlin and Villarreal were also said to be interested.

But England was Tuncay’s preferred destination and Lamb’s visit to Turkey was well worth his time.

Boro tempted Tuncay to the Riverside on a free transfer and it looked to be a good bit of business as the forward quickly established himself as a regular in Southgate’s side.