Middlesbrough now very close to transfer, according to two Spanish sources

It seems that Antonio Barragán’s transfer to Middlesbrough is close to being done. Both Marca and El Levante are claiming that the 29-year-old is ready to join Aitor Karanka at the Premier League side.

Boro are paying around €3m for the right-back, giving him a three-year contract. The English club officials were in Valencia on Tuesday and left with the deal practically sorted.

Barragán has been playing for Valencia since 2011 and had a contract until 2017, but the club thought it would be better to sell him so it will be easier for them to fit in the Financial Fair Play rules.

The player had a one-year spell at Liverpool during the 2005/06 season, but only played 12 minutes in a Champions League match and was sold to Deportivo La Coruña for €2.5m.

The Boro officials are still negotiating the transfer of Álvaro Negredo as well. EL Levante says the deal could happen with a loan of a year, giving the English side a €10m buying option. However, his wages are still the biggest problem.

More talks are set to happen next week.