EXCLUSIVE: Puncheon, Saville set for moves as Boro plan new arrivals

Middlesbrough are confident in completing the double signings of George Saville and Jason Puncheon this week as Tony Pulis bids to further strengthen his promotion-chasing squad, sources have told TEAMtalk.

Boro tried to land Saville in a triple deal with team-mates Jed Wallace and Lee Gregory earlier this summer, only for Millwall to rebuff their interest.

Now Boro are back for Saville, and are hopeful of securing a deal which would see him move on loan before that deal becomes permanent in January.

It is believed that Millwall have shown an interest in some Boro players including Grant Leadbitter, Ashley Fletcher and Marvin Johnson – and they may yet be included as part of a possible deal.

Former Chelsea youth player Saville joined Millwall from Wolves for £350,000 in June last year, after impressing on an initial loan deal.

Boro are hoping Saville will be one of a number of new faces arriving this week and they also remain hopeful of sealing a deal for Crystal Palace midfielder Puncheon – who Tony Pulis know well from his time at Selhurst Park.

The 32-year-old midfielder made his first appearance for Palace in a competitive fixture since New Year’s Eve as he captained the side in their 1-0 Carabao Cup win at Swansea on Tuesday evening.

His display impressed manager Roy Hodgson, who said afterwards: “He did very well. His state of mind is fine, he is a professional, so there is no problem there. Of course, he wants to play more and I have made it clear to him I can’t guarantee that.

“If he insists on playing week in week out, he knows I can’t guarantee that, but you saw that he is still a very good player, and I thought he was important to us in our victory.”

And we understand Hodgson is unlikely to stand in Puncheon’s way with a move to Teesside expected to be rubberstamped in the comings days.