Aitor Karanka reveals Middlesbrough’s targets in Portugal, talks about transfers and value

 

Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka has given a pretty cool interview to the Portuguese newspaper Record this Friday.

Karanka, who worked with the Manchester United boss José Mourinho at Real Madrid, was asked a lot about their relationship this week as they’re facing each other at Old Trafford this Saturday.

But even though the manager’s career can’t be split much apart from the Special One, especially in Portuguese eyes, Record still asked some different questions, and some about Karanka’s transfer plans at Boro.

“Yes, of course, even because of market matters,” said Karanka when asked if he follows the Portuguese league

When questioned if the Portuguese market is interesting for Middlesbrough, he said: “The quality/price ratio depends on where you are. Sometimes it seems the player is cheap ad then it doesn’t succeed and you end up having to spend more money.

“In the Premier League, having more money doesn’t mean you’ll get the best players. For example, Middlesbrough were very close on signing Lindelof last year and now it’s been said that Premier League clubs are ready to spend much money on him. It’s a sign that we’ve been working well.”

Karanka also revealed which players Boro had the intention to sign: “I can tell you we asked about Danilo Pereira, when he was on loan at Marítimo, but then he showed up at FC Porto. And between FC Porto and a second division team… But the truth is there are good players in many countries.”

Speaking of José Mourinho, Record asked the manager if he consulted the Portuguese before accepting the offer to take charge of Middlesbrough in 2013.

“Yes, even because there was a player at Chelsea at the time, Mark Schwarzer, who had been at Middlesbrough, who knew the club and the city well. And when you have everything decided to sign and José Mourinho gives you a last push, the doubts are gone.”

Karanka also confirmed he was invited by José Mourinho to work alongside him at Chelsea during the manager’s last spell, but thought it was time to stand his ground as a manager.

“Yeah, it was a pride and a privilege, but I thought, together with my family, and saw I wouldn’t be as useful to José at Chelsea as I was at Real Madrid. Because I didn’t know the club, the league nor the language. And after three years working with Mourinho and the staff I decided it was time to start alone.”