MIDDLESBROUGH are making a shock £5million move for Slovan Bratislava striker David Strelec.
Boro are in the market for forwards and Strelec, 23, could be snapped up fast as boss Michael Carrick juggles with his attack.
Middlesbrough have already spent big on Plymouth winger Morgan Whittaker[/caption]
The player, who has 28 caps for Slovakia, would jump at the move.
He’s now waiting to see if the deal will be finalised.
It comes after Boro paid £6million to land Plymouth attacker Morgan Whittaker on Friday.
Carrick wants to go for both if Emmanuel Latte Lath departs.
The Ivorian star went off with a groin injury in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Preston.
So his fitness could complicate any transfer interest in the current window
But it’s understood MLS side Atlanta United offered £18m plus £2m add-on earlier this month.
Boro would love to keep their star forward but also know that splashing out on Whittaker & Co has affected their finances.
Preston keeper Freddie Woodman checked on crocked striker Emmanuel Latte Lath, who Middlesbrough would love to keep ,[/caption]
Latte Lath is thought to have suffered a groin injury in Saturday’s 2-1 Championship loss at Deepdale Stadium[/caption]
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Meanwhile, “devastated” Whittaker has angrily denied a claim from new Plymouth boss Miron Muslic that he refused to play in last Wednesday’s 5-0 home loss to Burnley.
The ex-Swansea winger, 24, posted a lengthy statement on social media, insisting he had “always made myself available for selection” and “even trained happily that day”.
Whittaker added: “I want to make it abundantly clear that I never refused to play against Burnley.
It was agreed by myself and the manager that due to the bids from both Burnley and Middlesbrough I would not be up for selection.
“I was then told to train wit the other non-selected players.”
Whittaker added he was “devastated” by the “backlash” he received following the comments from Wayne Rooney’s successor Muslic.
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