Lazio offered Maccarone

Middlesbrough are understood to have offered Massimo Maccarone on loan to Lazio.

The Teessiders have bought Mark Viduka and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink over the summer, meaning manager Steve McClaren has more than enough strikers at his disposal.

Joseph Desire Job is widely expected to be third choice, but even then McClaren has Maccarone, Szilard Nemeth, Juninho and eventually the injured Malcolm Christie to choose from.

Boro are understood to have failed in their efforts to off-load Nemeth and Christie, meaning the chance to let Maccarone leave for a season is appealing to the club's hierarchy.

Now Italian sources are suggesting that Roman giants Lazio have been offered the services of Maccarone.

New Lazio president Claudio Lotito is looking at ways to bolster his squad, but finances are severely limited and a loan deal could be ideal for the Biancocelesti.

Fiorentina were in talks for Maccarone earlier this month, although they have now put that deal on the back-burner.

Maccarone's agent Paolo Fabbri has told skysports.com that he has not heard anything from Lazio - but his client's future would be decided within seven days. 

"That is not something we have talked about," said Fabbri.

"Fiorentina are the only club we have talked to and they are still interested in Massimo.

"We should see something happen next with regards to his situation."