MIDDLESBROUGH are closing in on Aitor Karanka's first signing of the summer after reaching an agreement with Ajax for Danish winger Viktor Fischer.

The 21-year-old recently hinted he did not expect to be in Amsterdam next season and Boro have moved to strike a £3.8m deal just weeks after sealing a return to the Premier League.

He is currently on duty with Denmark and trained this morning. The Danes are not due to play until June 3 when they face Bosnia and is expected to head to England this week for advanced talks.

Fischer has been watched on a number of occasions by Middlesbrough’s scouting team and there are reports in Holland that he has already held talks with the Teesside club.

He is expected in the North-East to finalise terms and, provided there are no problems, he would become Middlesbrough’s first signing ahead of the top-flight return.

Middlesbrough head coach Karanka is being updated on transfer progress as he looks for the additions that will hopefully lead to a decent first season back in the Premier League.

Karanka also continues to look at the possibility of Middlesbrough re-signing James Morrison, who is set to become a free agent at West Bromwich Albion. The Baggies are keen to keep him and there are other clubs interested, with Sunderland mentioned.