WEST HAM are close to agreeing a deal for Middlesbrough midfielder Gary O'Neil.

Boro have confirmed that an undisclosed fee, believed to be in the region of £2million, has been agreed between the two clubs and the 27-year-old has been given permission to hold talks with the Hammers.

A statement from Middlesbrough read: “Boro have accepted an undisclosed bid from Premier League club West Ham for midfielder Gary O'Neil.

“The Hammers have been given permission to discuss personal terms with the former Portsmouth man.”

Sky Sports claim a two-and-a-half-year contract has been agreed.

Should the transfer go through, O'Neil would be West Ham's third signing of the January transfer window following the loan arrivals of Wayne Bridge and Demba Ba.