April 26, 2008 5:54 PM

SOURCE:
goal.com

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Rochemback Close To Sporting Return

News daily Record suggests that Fábio Rochemback is close to parting ways with Middlesbrough to make a return to Sporting.

The Brazilian player's current deal is set to expire in the summer, with Boro having until May to use their option to extend this by two years.

Middlesbrough are thought to have told Rochemback that he can stay at the club as long as that is his wish, which doesn't seem to be the case here.

Rochemback is reportedly unhappy with the lack of first-team opportunities he has been given since joining in 2005, and will hope to kick-start his career by returning to the Lions, having failed to settle in England.

The 26-year-old seems to be high on Sporting's shortlist for the new campaign, and Record reports that Rochemback has a pre-agreement with the Lions since December, which should turn into a finalised deal once Middlesbrough's preference option is no longer applicable.

Juarez Rochemback, father of the Brazilian player, said: "Of course I would like to travel more often to Portugal again, and I would be lying if I said that Fábio does not like Lisbon.

"His spell at Sporting was very important and everyone knows that he likes the club."