MIDDLESBROUGH have agreed a deal for Charlton Athletic full-back Anfernee Dijksteel, and are keen to hold on to Marcus Tavernier despite mounting interest in the young winger.

Dijksteel was in the North-East yesterday undergoing a medical and finalising personal terms after Boro officials agreed a fee of around £2m with their counterparts at the Valley.

The 22-year-old Dutchman should be confirmed as Boro’s fourth summer signing well ahead of tomorrow’s 5pm deadline, joining Tomas Mejias, Marcus Browne and Marc Bola on the list of players to have arrived at the Riverside since Jonathan Woodgate was appointed head coach.

A product of Charlton’s academy, having joined the Addicks in January 2016, Dijksteel provides another option at right-back, with Jonny Howson having filled the position during last week’s 3-3 draw at Luton Town.

Howson played at right wing-back under Tony Pulis last season, but the 31-year-old sees himself as more of a midfielder, and Dijksteel’s arrival gives Woodgate the option of moving him further upfield.

That might not happen until next week at the earliest though, with Howson likely to retain his place in the back four for Saturday’s opening home game with Brentford.

It remains to be seen whether Dijksteel’s arrival completes Boro’s incoming business, with the club’s recruitment team still working on a couple of attacking options.

The Teessiders were linked with Wes Burns yesterday, but the Fleetwood Town winger is not understood to feature on their list of targets.

The rest of Boro’s transfer action is likely to be dependent on what happens in terms of departures, with Burnley pondering whether to table an improved offer for Dael Fry.

Boro rejected the Clarets’ initial £8m bid on Monday night, and are adamant it would take an astronomical offer for them to even consider parting with the England Under-21 international. Having sold Ben Gibson to Burnley for £15m last summer, an identical sum is regarded as the absolute minimum it would take for Fry to be allowed to leave.

Woodgate is similarly reluctant to lose Tavernier, and at least two approaches from Championship rivals Barnsley have been rebuffed.

There is a chance the Tykes could return with another offer ahead of tomorrow’s deadline, but while Tavernier was an unused substitute in last week’s draw at Kenilworth Road, he remains an important part of Woodgate’s midfield plans.