JONATHAN WOODGATE has been told Middlesbrough have bought a gem in Marcus Browne who can make an immediate impact on the Championship charge.

Even though sources close to West Ham are suggesting that he has cost just £300,000, Browne has been tipped to be a star after arriving on Teesside where he has undergone a medical.

That represents a snip in today’s market, even if he is yet to make a first team appearance for the Hammers, and is down to the fact he has entered the final 12 months of his contract at the London Stadium.

The 21-year-old is a dangerous wide-man who impressed during a loan at Oxford United last season, scoring six times in his 34 appearances to make clubs like Middlesbrough take notice, and the U’s wanted him back. Oxford boss Karl Robinson said: “I honestly thought we had him yesterday morning and then Middlesbrough came in really late with something which was fantastic for him and his future.

“He’s one of the nicest young men you will meet, the support mechanisms around him are superb.”

He added: “He felt it was right for him to come back (to Oxford) unless there was something of real top quality and that’s what Middlesbrough are. If he ends up signing for them he certainly has all of our wishes.”

Robinson revealed three other Championship clubs - including Derby - were interested in Browne and Oxford did everything they could to land him by matching the financial package offered to him. He can also play in centre midfield.

Browne, who has signed a four year deal, said: “I felt at this stage and at this time, and after speaking to the gaffer and some of the players here, that this is the perfect move for me.

“I like to be direct, run at people, I like to be creative and attack. I feel like the style of play and philosophy the gaffer has here will suit me really well.”

West Ham were happy to let him go because of his contract situation and Manuel Pellegrini did not see him breaking into the Premier League squad over the course of the next 12 months.

Browne could make his first appearance for Middlesbrough in Sunday’s friendly with St Etienne at the Riverside Stadium, the team’s final game before the season opener at Luton on Friday.

Middlesbrough are unlikely to have other new players on board by Sunday but they are looking to make further signings, with three more being targeted.

Woodgate’s squad is short in a number of areas and Middlesbrough have been targeting former Chelsea defender Todd Kane, Blackpool’s Marc Bola and Charlton’s Anfernee Dijksteel to challenge for full-backs spots. An agreement with Blackpool is believed to have been reached to sign Bola.

He is also keen to bring in another forward-thinking player, with Portsmouth’s Jamal Lowe and Hull’s Kamil Grosicki two of those who have been on the radar. Both command sizeable transfer fees and Middlesbrough are not believed to be in the market to spend millions.

Middlesbrough are closing in on deals having allowed Martin Braithwaite and Aden Flint to be sold, following the exits of outfield squad members Stewart Downing and John Obi Mikel from last season at the end of their deals.

The Teessiders have also agreed to sell 23-year-old forward Luke Armstrong to Salford City, where he has signed a three-year deal.

Armstrong has been courted by Salford's boss Graham Alexander for the last ten months. He only rejoined the club where he was part of the academy in 2017 after impressing in non-league.

Last season Armstrong was loaned out to Gateshead and Accrington, scoring 13 goals, and he featured for Middlesbrough in the friendlies against Grazer, Gateshead and Hartlepool this summer.

"Luke's at an age where he needs to be playing regular football," Woodgate told the club website. "I couldn't guarantee him that here, but he has done well in his loan spells before, and when Salford came in with an offer it suited both parties. Luke departs with out very best wishes for the future."

There was other interest in Armstrong, the son of Darlington manager Alun, but Armstrong was attracted by the three-year deal at ambitious Salford following their promotion to League Two.

Salford boss Alexander said: “He’s a player that we’ve always, for the last ten months or so, quite liked the look of. There’s been a lot of work behind the scenes to try and get him on board, obviously there was genuine competition for his signature as you’d expect with a good player like that but we’re delighted.

 “He’s got an all round game, he’s physically strong, he can run, he can score goals, he can bring us into play and at the age of 23 we think we’ve got a fine young player on our hands."