MIDDLESBROUGH are closing in on a deal for Brentford striker Marcus Forss as Chris Wilder finally looks like making a breakthrough in his attempts to strengthen his side’s attack.

Wilder accepts there is a pressing need to sign attacking reinforcements, with the departure of Andraz Sporar, Aaron Connolly and Falorin Balogun, and the continued absence of the out-of-favour Uche Ikpeazu and Chuba Akpom, meaning Boro are relying on Josh Coburn and Duncan Watmore as their only senior forwards.

A move for Newcastle United’s Dwight Gayle was abandoned when the striker’s financial demands were regarded as excessive, while an attempt to prise Thomas Henry from Venezia came to nothing when the French striker opted to remain in Italy with Hellas Verona.

Ideally, Wilder would like to sign three new forwards before the transfer window closes, and it increasingly looks as though Forss could be one of the additions.

The Finland international moved to England at the age of 13 to join West Brom’s academy, and moved on to Brentford in 2017, initially joining the Bees’ youth set-up.

He signed a new senior deal in 2018, and boasts 19 goals from 25 starts and 49 substitute appearances in a Brentford shirt.

He spent the second half of last season on loan at Hull City, scoring one goal and claiming one assist from 11 Championship appearances, and is regarded as still having considerable potential to improve given that he only turned 23 last month.

The Northern Echo: Marcus Forss scored four times for Brentford

His current Brentford contract is not due to expire until the summer of 2026, but Boro are hoping to lure him to the Riverside, with further talks planned for the next couple of days.

The Teessiders should confirm Zack Steffen’s arrival from Manchester City shortly, with the American goalkeeper having agreed the terms of a season-long loan at the Riverside.

Steffen, who is keen to secure regular first-team football as he looks to cement his place as the USA’s number one goalkeeper ahead of this winter’s World Cup in Qatar, has passed a medical and agreed to join the Teessiders.

He is set to start next season as Boro’s number one goalkeeper, with fellow summer signing Liam Roberts providing cover and competition as the club’s new number two.

Confirmation of Djed Spence’s departure to Tottenham is also imminent, with the final pieces of paperwork now the only things that are holding up the completion of the deal.

Spence has successfully passed a medical in north London and agreed the terms of a long-term deal with Spurs, and with his side having completed a two-game tour of South Korea and flown back to England on Sunday, Antonio Conte is keen to get the wing-back onto the training pitch with his new team-mates ahead of the start of the new Premier League season at the start of next month.