MIDDLESBROUGH are considering moves for out-of-contract duo Bernardo Espinosa and Clement Chantome as they look to continue their summer recruitment drive.

Espinosa, a Colombian centre-half, is available on a free transfer after leaving Spanish side Sporting Gijon at the end of last season.

With Boro unlikely to re-sign Tomas Kalas, who has returned to Chelsea at the end of his loan spell, Aitor Karanka is hoping to sign at least one centre-half to provide some competition to his established first-choice pairing of Daniel Ayala and Ben Gibson.

Espinosa, who is recovering from a knee injury that will keep him out until August, has been offered a deal at Bournemouth, with Watford also understood to have held discussions with his representatives.

However, Boro officials are aware of his availability and are set to hold talks of their own as they look to make further transfer progress following last week’s successful capture of Danish winger Viktor Fischer.

The Teessiders have also been monitoring Chantome’s situation, with the midfielder set to leave French side Bordeaux as a free agent this summer.

Chantome, who has also been linked with Sunderland and West Brom, has turned down the offer of a new deal with Bordeaux, and his representatives have contacted a number of English clubs to assess their interest.