EXCLUSIVE: Boro, Saints discuss swap; Pulis also eyes trio
Middlesbrough boss Tony Pulis is hoping to make up to four new signings this week, TEAMtalk can exclusively reveal.
The Boro manager is busy shaping his squad ahead of what he hopes will be a push towards a return to the Premier League, with the club having missed out in the Championship play-offs last time out.
Pulis hopes to start a busy week with the capture of Burnley frontman Sam Vokes, with the Welshman now understood to be the club’s top striking target for the summer.
Pulis, who is set to sell record signing Britt Assombalonga following a clash during a pre-season training camp in Austria, has had Vokes targeted for weeks.
Now with Burnley themselves looking to tie up a deal for Jay Rodriguez – Boro are ready to pay around £15million for the Wales striker.
Pulis, who could sign Stoke veteran Peter Crouch if he misses out on Vokes, is also looking to push ahead with deals for Everton’s Mo Besic and West Brom’s Matt Phillips in the coming week.
Middlesbrough have also enquired about Southampton left-back Sam McQueen – who could be included in a possible deal for Ben Gibson, if Saints follow up with their initial interest in the defender.
Gibson, once on the fringes of the England squad, is looking for a return to the Premier League this summer – and we understand Saints are leading the chase.
