If he was for sale they would have to pay considerably more than the £4m that was suggested. After all he did cost £6.5m less than a year ago and if anything that value will have risen.
Southgate is an important piece in the jigsaw for Boro boss Steve McClaren and he would not want the big man to move on. If he repeats the form of last season Boro will have the perfect foundation for mounting a serious assault on qualifying for Europe this term.
Leeds are also being linked with Chelsea star William Gallas and Valencia's Argentina international Roberto Ayala. They would both seem a much better option to all concerned.