Douala played for Sporting Lisbon against Middlesbrough last season

Boro boss Steve McClaren has been chasing the 27-year-old even though he will not be eligible for the Uefa Cup.

But Jorge Gama said: "I can assure you that the player is not interested in moving to Boro.

"It's nothing to do with Middlesbrough as a club, we've explained that the reason is because he cannot play in Uefa competitions this season."

What a waste of two months tracking Douala From JK Have your say on 606

Douala is cup-tied after playing in Sporting Lisbon's Champions League qualifier loss to Udinese last week.

He can play either as a striker or on the wing and he caught McClaren's eye with his performance for Sporting Lisbon in their Uefa Cup victory over Middlesbrough last season.

"Middlesbrough is a good club with good players and a respected manager," added Gama.

"But we have been thinking seriously about this and it's a waste of time Sporting pursuing this with Boro.

"As far as we know, there is no agreement between Sporting and Boro for the transfer.

"It's difficult to envisage us changing our mind. We appreciate the interest of Steve McClaren. The problem is that there's no prospect of European football."

McClaren, who has already signed striker Aiyegbeni Yakubu and left-back Emanuel Pogatetz this summer, is in the hunt for two more players.