MIDDLESBROUGH are close to sealing a deal for Bristol Rovers winger Mustapha Carayol after holding another round of talks with the West Country club.

Tony Mowbray has enjoyed a fruitful few weeks, signing Grant Leadbitter, Stuart Parnaby, Jonathan Woodgate, Emmanuel Ledesma and Christian Burgess since the transfer window opened at the start of the month.

However, the Boro boss is still hoping to make another three or four additions before the season gets underway in the middle of August.

Carayol is a long-term target, with Mowbray having travelled to Southend to watch the Gambian at first hand last season.

Boro officials have held a number of discussions with their Bristol Rovers counterparts in an attempt to secure Carayol's signature, but the 23-year-old's price has been a sticking point.

Rovers are hoping to receive more than £500,000, as they have to pay a 20 per cent sell-on clause to Carayol's former employers, Lincoln City.

Middlesbrough have been reluctant to match the League Two club's asking price, but a latest round of talks proved fruitful and Carayol was not involved in Bristol Rovers' opening pre-season friendly last weekend.

Rovers boss Mark McGhee has already said he will not stand in Carayol's way if a deal can be agreed, and a resolution looks increasingly likely before Boro head to Portugal on a pre-season training trip next week.

The Teessiders will fly to the Algarve after they have played their opening friendly at Falkirk on Sunday, but will not be involved in any competitive matches on the continent.

Rhys Williams will be part of the group that travels to Portugal after returning to training at the start of this week.

Williams was granted an extended break after representing Australia after the end of last season, but has joined in with this week's first-team sessions.

He spent last season alternating between centre-half and central midfield, but Mowbray is expected to pair him with Woodgate in the back four during the forthcoming campaign.