MIDDLESBROUGH striker Kike Garcia has been left in limbo after two separate deadline-day deals failed to result in his departure from Teesside being confirmed.

The first proposed move to Wolves collapsed completely, but the second, involving Spanish side Eibar, involved some complex negotiations in the closing stages of the window and could yet see a deal being ratified.

As things stand, Kike remains a Middlesbrough player, but despite the transfer window having closed at 11pm on Monday, it is understood that discussions are taking place that could still see the Spanish authorities agreeing to the striker’s return to his homeland.

At the beginning of deadline day, it looked as though the 26-year-old would be heading to Molineux, with Boro officials having agreed to an initial loan, with a view to a £2m permanent deal in the summer.

Kike was kept informed of developments, but opted not to complete the proposed switch midway through Monday afternoon.

At that stage, Eibar firmed up their own interest, and the La Liga club entered into some late-night discussions with Boro officials and Kike’s representatives.

All parties were hopeful a deal could be concluded, but were unable to confirm the completion of the transfer by the time the window closed.

It has been reported in Spain that the deal was held up by a sell-on clause involving Kike’s former club, Real Murcia, although it is not known whether that is the sole cause of the current confusion.

Middlesbrough are still willing to allow Kike to move to Eibar, but if he has to remain on their books, it is likely he will be made available for transfer once the Football League loan window reopens next week.

Kike’s position in the pecking order was affected by Jordan Rhodes’ deadline-day move from Blackburn Rovers, and there is not believed to be any clause in the striker’s contract preventing him from making his debut against his former employers this weekend.

Whether Aitor Karanka chooses to pitch Rhodes straight into the starting line-up remains to be seen, but having thought his move to Teesside had collapsed when talks broke down on Sunday, the Scotland international is keen to make an immediate impression in order to aid Boro’s promotion push.

“It’s nice to be here,” said Rhodes. “It’s been a hectic few days, but it’ll all be worth it. I’m looking forward to bedding in and settling down, and getting to know the players, the fans and everyone in the area.

“There’s an overwhelming desire to have people who want you, and I’m looking forward to getting started.

“Middlesbrough is a fantastic club, with a fantastic team that has been doing well this season. It’s a really good team, and squad of players. Nothing is taken for granted, and whenever the manager calls upon me, I will be trying my best to play my part.”

Rhodes has scored more than 20 goals in every season since 2008-09, and boasts ten league goals in the current campaign even though he has been playing for a Blackburn side struggling in 18th place in the table.

He has long been regarded as one of the most reliable finishers in the Football League, but claims he is willing to sacrifice personal glory if it means Boro achieving their collective ambition of securing promotion to the Premier League.

“It’s something that I enjoy and live for doing, but it’s not a matter of who scores,” he said in an interview with Boro’s official website. “It’s about scoring more goals than the opposition and picking up the points to get to the place where we want to go.

“I give my all and work as hard as I can. I can’t guarantee anything, but I’ll work as hard as I can to make myself a better player and a person to do well for this club.”