MIDDLESBROUGH are interested in bringing Tomas Kalas back to Teesside for another season, but reports linking Chelsea teammate Nathan Ake with a loan move are wide of the mark.

Speculation yesterday suggested that Chelsea have agreed deals with Boro to loan Ake and Kalas next season but, while the club have made contact with the Blues over Kalas, who spent last term on loan on Teesside, there is no foundation in the rumours surrounding Dutch youngster Ake.

A deal for Kalas, at least, would be a good fit for Boro, with the 22-year-old proving to be a popular figure in the dressing room at the Riverside last season. Aitor Karanka is keen to bring the defender back with his defensive versatility – Kalas can play centre-half and right-back – a much-needed resource as Boro seek to bounce back from their play-off disappointment.

Kalas, 22, was unable to feature in Boro's three play-off games under the terms of his loan deal last season, and was a frustrated bystander as Dean Whitehead, who left the club at the end of last season and has sinced joined Huddersfield Town, took his place at right-back for the two games against Brentford and the Wembley final against Norwich.

Ake, meanwhile, spent a short spell on loan at Reading, managed by former Chelsea assistant Steve Clarke, and the midfielder, who can also play left-back, has been heavily linked with Boro as a result of Karanka’s closeness to Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.

Ake played for Chelsea at the Riverside in their FA Cup victory over Boro in 2013 under Rafael Benitez, and went on to make five appearances in all competitions under Mourinho last season, before playing five times for Clarke at the Royals.

Boro's relationship with Chelsea led to the loans of Kenneth Omeruo, Jamal Blackman and Tamas Kalas, but the biggest success story of the season was Patrick Bamford, whose 19 goals helped Boro to the play-offs and sealed a shock FA Cup win over Manchester City.

Bamford wants to stay at Stamford Bridge next season and fight for his place in the Chelsea first team despite interest from Sunderland, Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion.

Yesterday’s speculation led the club to issue a statement on social media, refusing to comment on an approach for Kalas and Ake, as well as their long-standing interest in bringing Stuart Downing back to the club.

West Ham should complete the signing of Dmitri Payet today with the French international expected to take Downing’s place in the Hammers’ first team and, with Sunderland similarly interested, Boro have thrown their hat into the ring.

However, Downing’s £70,000 wages and an asking fee of more than £5million would prove prohibitive for Boro.

A message on the club’s official Twitter feed read: “It is the time of year when we are regularly linked with new players. It is not club policy to comment on speculation. While we are working on several fronts, there are no deals near completion.”