MIDDLESBROUGH’S hopes of landing Dennis Praet have suffered a significant blow after Europa League winners Sevilla made a renewed attempt to sign the highly-rated Belgian midfielder.

And Boro’s pursuit of Gaston Ramirez is also proving problematic after Premier League rivals Watford signalled their intent to approach the out-of-contract Uruguayan.

Having completed the capture of Ajax winger Viktor Fischer earlier this week, with the transfer due to be confirmed when the international transfer window opens on June 9, Boro hoped to make a similarly early move for Praet.

Boro officials have held preliminary discussions with their counterparts at Anderlecht about a possible offer for Praet, who was named Jupiler League Player of the Year at the start of 2016.

The 22-year-old boasts more than 100 senior appearances for Anderlecht, scoring 17 league goals, and made his senior international debut in November 2014.

He has been linked with Liverpool and Southampton in the past, and is expected to leave Anderlecht this summer with his contract due to expire in 12 months’ time.

Boro had hoped to steal a march on their rivals by opening talks earlier this week, but Sevilla officials have also been in contact and the Spanish club are regarded as strong favourites to sign Praet.

Sevilla have made three separate approaches for Praet over the course of the last 12 months, and had a €6m offer rejected at the turn of the year.

They continued to monitor the midfielder closely in the second half of last season, and sources in Spain claim they are determined to complete a deal this summer.

While Sevilla might not be able to match the financial riches available in the Premier League, they can offer Champions League football after their Europa League final success over Liverpool and will expect to compete in the upper echelons of La Liga next season. That might well be sufficient to persuade Praet to turn his back on Teesside.

Boro head coach Aitor Karanka is keen to bolster his side’s attacking-midfield resources as he prepares for life in the Premier League, and is hoping to re-sign Ramirez after the South American enjoyed a successful loan spell from Southampton last term.

The Saints have confirmed Ramirez will not be offered a new contract at St Mary’s, but Boro are not the only club currently in contact with the midfielder’s representatives.

Watford have also signalled their desire to sign the 25-year-old, who is preparing to represent Uruguay in the Copa America.

New Watford boss Walter Mazzarri is aware of Ramirez’s qualities from his time in Serie A, and included the player’s name on the list of targets he submitted to his bosses when he was appointed at Vicarage Road.