Kluivert's wages at Barcelona were around £80,000 a week. Chairman Freddie Shepherd may have to ask the Dutch international to take a pay cut, as Alan Shearer's contract would also have to be brought up to that sum. The Geordie legend has a clause in his contract stating he must be the highest paid member of the club.
The hitman's ex-Barca teammate Michael Reiziger, having just signed for Boro, has praised the former European Cup winner.
"I know Patrick had a difficult year at Barcelona," said the full-back. "At the beginning he was injured, and after that he wasn't able to get into the team.
"But I've seen him train in the Dutch team over the last two months and I think he's strong again. If he is strong then he is still one of the best strikers in Europe.
"He would score a lot of goals in the Premiership.
"But I think Patrick has to resolve his differences with Barcelona and, after that, he will make his decision."
I would love to see it happen, but we have been linked with quality like this in the past, without anything materialising - Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Larssoon spring to mind. Voice your opinions on the messageboard.