MARTIN BRAITHWAITE has asked to leave Middlesbrough ahead of tomorrow’s deadline for international transfers and Football League loans.

Spanish clubs Girona and Leganes have held discussions over Braithwaite’s position in the last couple of days, and the Denmark international has requested a move to La Liga.

Middlesbrough officials are willing to discuss the forward’s position, but having spent around £10m to sign Braithwaite from Toulouse in 2017, are adamant he will only be allowed to leave if the financial aspects of a deal suit.

Tony Pulis will also want attacking replacements in place before Braithwaite heads through the exit door, with the 27-year-old having scored three goals in the opening four league games this season.

Pulis said: “He came in to see me yesterday. There’s a Spanish club that have come in for him. He would like to go to Spain, and he’s expressed his wish. We will see how that develops over the next 24 hours.

“It’s a bit of a disappointment, but that’s the way the world works. There are a few things in the pipeline that we are trying to achieve.

“I just want players who want to be here for Middlesbrough. As I’ve said before, it’s a smashing club, and a club that people should be proud to be at and work for.”

Braithwaite’s departure would accentuate the need for new additions, and Boro are closing in on a couple of additions, with Pulis still hopeful an additional deal or two could be completed ahead of tomorrow’s deadline.

Millwall midfielder George Saville is set to sign on a season-long loan with a view to a permanent transfer next summer, and Boro are also involved in discussions with Crystal Palace aimed at engineering a loan deal for winger Jason Puncheon.

However, the Teessiders are understood to have no interest in Liverpool youngster Sheyi Ojo, who has been mentioned as a possible target all summer.

Pulis said: “We’re close to a couple, and a few might go out as well. We’ll see what it’s like in the next 24 hours. We’re looking.

“We’ve struggled, but we’re looking for pace out wide that can stretch a game, but (we’re looking) all over. If players become available or if one or two drop for us, then that’s what we’ll do in the next 24 hours.

“Hopefully, by the time it’s finished, we’ll have a better squad than we’ve got now. Hopefully the players we’re trying to do will help the squad and the depth.

“I can’t say they’re the players I originally wanted, but I’ve been in football a long time and sometimes you don’t get the players you want. But if we get the players we’re trying to, then they’re good players.

“But looking from the outside you will be able to see that, yes, we do need to bring people in. And as we are talking, there’s things going on.”

Boro head to Championship leaders Leeds United tomorrow, and while the transfer deadline is proving something of a distraction, Pulis cannot wait for the game at Elland Road.

He said: “It will be a great game. Elland Road is a fabulous stadium to go to, it’s a great football club. I was born in the 50s, so I can remember the great Leeds team.

“My dad actually took me to Wolverhampton to watch them in the 70s, and that’s something that really sticks in my memory. They’ve got a top manager in place now, and it should be a great game.”