Middlesbrough block O'Neil's return to Portsmouth

By Colin Young for the Daily Mail
Updated: 06:39 EST, 3 February 2009


Middlesbrough have turned down a final day bid from Portsmouth for their former midfielder Gary O'Neil.

Pompey boss Tony Adams has been chasing the 25-year-old former Fratton Park trainee throughout the month but Boro have so far resisted the urge to sell.

Gary O'Neil and Rio Ferdinand

Going nowhere: Boro midfielder Gary O'Neil tussles with Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand

Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson is adamant he will not sell O'Neil just 18 months after his move north but the midfielder has claimed he and his family have failed to settle on Teesside.

Portsmouth are understood to have offered Sean Davis as part of the deal.