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Middlesbrough are considering making an offer to free agent Dean Whitehead following his departure from Premier League side Stoke City.

The midfielder, 31, made 158 appearances for Stoke after moving from Sunderland for £3m in July 2009.

"He's a player we potentially might have an interest in but he might have some decisions to make,"

"He's been in the Premier League for six or seven years and will have an earning power that reflect that."

Meanwhile Boro have confirmed the release of Nicky Bailey, Andre Bikey, Kieron Dyer and Stephen McManus, with their contracts expire this summer.

Julio Arca, whose contract was cancelled by mutual consent in April, is also being released.

The 32-year-old was the club's longest serving player prior to his exit, having joined from Sunderland for £1.75m in July 2006.

Boro have been keen to reduce their wage bill, with latest accounts revealing an expenditure of £19.2m on player salaries for the period up to June 2012.