GARRY MONK has confirmed that Gaston Ramirez has been given the go-ahead to discuss a move away from Middlesbrough.

Ramirez was pictured in Italy today amid strong talk that he is on the verge of a move to Sampdoria.

The Uruguayan international’s future has been the subject of plenty of debate since January when he was angling for a move to Leicester City.

Now Ramirez, who has already seen a move to Real Betis fall through, looks set to join the Italian club despite other interest from Nantes and Freiburg. There are no details about a fee at this stage.

Monk said: “We have given permission to speak with another club. That’s all I can say at this moment in time.”

The Middlesbrough boss is still pursuing new signings of his own, with Birmingham defender Ryan Shotton and Bristol City’s Aden Flint two on the radar. There will be no more new faces before Saturday’s opener at Wolves.

Monk, who still expects other players to leave, said: “There are still ongoings in terms of recruitment and outgoings as well. We have done the bulk and we are happy with that.

“It’s about getting the squad as balanced as possible. It’s about getting the numbers as they have to be. It is about recruiting the quality that can add to the squad and there is more to be done on the outgoings as well.”

Middlesbrough have already knocked back offers from West Brom for defender Ben Gibson, who looks set to stay at his hometown club unless the valuation is met this month.

Monk said: “From day one, it was very clear we don’t have to sell any player. I said all along it would have to be an extraordinary offer for any player to leave and we don’t want our important players to leave. We are clear on that.

“We have to be focused on that. We have not given it a second thought. Ben is fine, training well, determined and has this club in his heart, looking forward to the season ahead.”

Monk, who has spent around £45m on new players so far, is satisfied with how his first pre-season has gone since leaving Leeds and taking over at the Riverside.

And, after reporting a fully fit squad to choose from for the trip to Molineux, he said: “We have been working in a good way, have had a healthy pre-season, it takes time to implement new ideas, new players, what’s gone on before, the confidence levels before, bringing the confidence levels back up, everyone has. But I am really looking forward to the season ahead.

“It has been a really positive summer in terms of recruitment and we have tried to get a good balance, we have moved a lot of players out. We had to do that.

“I spoke with the owner before I came, he knew where I wanted to go and the shape I wanted. We have tried to recruit well and get the balance right. We have tried to maximise both ways. We have done the bulk of the work and we have to keep going.”