MIDDLESBROUGH’S summer transfer push will hit new heights during the next few days and homegrown defender Ben Gibson believes the quality of the signings reminds him of the days when internationals from around the world would move to Teesside.

Ambitious Boro - linked with Manchester United's Adnan Januzaj yesterday - are close to tying up a deal for Gaston Ramirez and they are ready to announce Neven Subotic will be joining subject to a successful work permit application, while Valencia striker Alvaro Negredo should meet up with the squad in Marbella this week.

That triumvirate, provided they all go through, will take the number of new signings to nine and head coach Aitor Karanka is still looking for more ahead of the Premier League opener against Stoke City on August 13.

Gibson was a teenager when Boro were last in the Premier League. He was also a fan in his earlier days with the academy when his uncle – chairman Steve Gibson – would bring some household names to the Riverside Stadium.

“It really does feel like the good times are back,” said the 23-year-old. “I remember Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Gaizka Mendieta … players like that.

“I think Victor Valdes is in that bracket too, I really do. He is a man who has won everything, played at the very highest level.

“That’s how it was when I was young. My memories of the Premier League is that we are not from a town that is the most desirable place to live, yet we somehow managed to pull in big names. It is something we never failed to do.

“People think they will go to London, but somehow the chairman or whoever the manager is, they manage to bring the big names in. There might be a few more to come going on what I read …”

Gibson has been a pivotal part of Boro's success during the last two years, playing in a defence that has been renowned for keeping clean sheets with Dimi Konstantopoulos between the posts.

The arrival of Valdes, three-time Champions League winner with Barca, has increased the pressure on Konstantopoulos, who played the second half of Saturday’s 2-0 win at Doncaster.

Gibson said: “I did go home the other day and I told my dad ‘I have just scored against Victor Valdes!’ I am not sure how Victor will take it when he has got Ben Gibson telling him to catch it.

“He seems a lovely lad, down to earth, and he wouldn’t even bring his success up unless you brought it up. He will fit in like everyone else.

“I will bombard him with questions about Barca. I am probably doing his head in already. I have asked about (Lionel) Messi. To have him at our club, to have those big names back is great. He feels like a great person and more importantly we want to make sure everyone clicks on the pitch.”

Valdes spent the 90 minutes at Doncaster on the bench, although not listed among the substitutes as Karanka shared duties between Konstantopoulos and Tomas Mejias.

Stewart Downing opened the scoring in the 12th minute when his effort deflected off defender Andy Butler before finding the net and, after a full team of changes at half-time, teenager Alex Pattison scored a fine second nine minutes before the end when he picked out the bottom corner.

It was hardly the most exciting friendly, but Danish winger Viktor Fischer made his first appearance since moving from Ajax and Marten de Roon got more minutes behind him ahead of tomorrow night’s friendly with Real Betis (7pm) in Marbella.

It is hoped Ramirez will play some part in the Costa del Sol this week and that more arrivals will follow.

Karanka said: “It would be great (to have Ramirez back). Yes, we are hoping for more but I don't want to think about what's going to happen in the next few days.

“You never know what can happen, so for that reason I'm just working with the players who we have here. The transfer progress has been amazing. The club has been working really well and the best example is the players we have now. Now we have to do well on the pitch and get everyone as soon as possible together. It will be the best for everybody.”

Albert Adomah and Grant Leadbitter, who have missed the first two friendlies through injury, will both travel while they recover from injuries.

The boss said: “Albert will be with the team in Marbella, Grant will be a little longer. It's a problem with his hernia. But he's strong and knows he's important even when he's not on the pitch. He's big for the changing room and for that reason he's coming to Marbella. Last season I said he was the character of this team and this season it's the same.

“I don't know how long for Dani Ayala, it may be one week or two weeks, but I don't know. Hopefully he will soon be with us.”

Boro (first-half): Mejias; Nsue, Gibson, Morris, McGinley; Forshaw, Clayton; Carayol, Downing, De Pena; Nugent.

BORO (second-half): Konstantopoulos; Halliday, Jackson, Baptiste, Friend; De Roon, de Sart; Fischer, Pattison, Reach; Rhodes.