Boro target Llorente and Skrtel but won’t get Gaston

Mark Holmes
Fernando Llorente: Closing in on Swans move

Fernando Llorente: Closing in on Swans move

Middlesbrough are reported to have targeted Fernando Llorente and Martin Skrtel, but Gaston Ramirez looks set to return to Uruguay.

Boro, runners-up in the Championship this season, appear to be aiming high as they prepare for their return to the Premier League after a seven-season absence.

The Teessiders have made contact with Sevilla regarding the availability of Llorente, according to Spanish newspaper AS, with the signs apparently positive that a deal can be done to take the 31-year-old to the Riverside Stadium this summer.

Llorente, who won the World Cup with Spain in 2010, scored only four goals in 22 La Liga appearances for Sevilla this season following a free-transfer switch from Juventus last summer. He has a €20million release clause in his contract but could be available for significantly less. Reports in Italy claim he could even return to Juventus for free.

Boro are also interested in Liverpool centre-back Martin Skrtel, according to The Sun.

The Slovakia defender is set to leave Anfield this summer for around £6million and has attracted interested from Besiktas, but Aitor Karanka is apparently willing to offer the 31-year-old the opportunity to extend his eight-year stay in the Premier League.

Reims defender Aissa Mandi and Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Kieren Westwood are among the other players to have been linked with Boro so far this summer, but Gaston Ramirez has signed a pre-contract agreement to join Penarol of Montevideo, according to reports in his homeland.