FABIO da Silva could soon be moving to France from Middlesbrough to be closer to his brother.

The Brazilian defender had looked like returning to his homeland earlier this year but an agreement couldn’t be reached with Botafogo.

That was when he it was claimed he asked to leave for personal reasons and now it has emerged that Nantes are closing in on a deal worth under £2m.

Tony Pulis is tinkering with his squad this summer and knows that offloading Fabio now could be the right option after entering the final 12 months of his contract.

The switch across the English Channel appeals to the South American because his brother, Rafael, plays for Lyon. Fabio, who has shown the right attitude throughout his time at the Riverside, has a three-year deal waiting to be signed at Nantes, despite interest in him from Nottingham Forest.

Middlesbrough are looking at full-back options in the transfer market and Bristol City's Joe Bryan has been considered.

In the absence of Fabio and George Friend at Spennymoor on Tuesday, Ben Gibson was asked to play left-back.

Pulis also tried Dael Fry at right-back in Austria, so it will be interesting to see who he names in the back four when Middlesbrough face Saundhausen in Mildenheim, Germany, on Saturday evening (5.30). The Middlesbrough squad travelled on Friday for a second overseas training break and they will play a second game next week.

Pulis has a new assistant manager alongside him. He has appointed the experienced Sam Ellis to take over from Dave Kemp, who has headed for the USA to start his retirement.

Kemp had worked in that role following Pulis' appointment on Boxing Day.

Ellis has enjoyed a long relationship and friendship with the Boro boss having first worked together at Stoke City in 2006.

A former Sheffield Wednesday player back in the 60s who made more than 500 career appearances, he went into management with Blackpool, Bury, and Lincoln City.

Ellis - who was in the dug-out at Spennymoor on Tuesday and flies out to Germany today with the Boro squad - was assistant to Peter Reid at Manchester City, Stan Ternent at Burnley as well as spending time at Leeds with Kevin Blackwell.