MIDDLESBROUGH are close to tying up the signing of Rodrigo Muniz – with the Brazilian set to wear the number nine shirt at the Riverside.

Muniz is set to join the Teessiders on a season-long loan from Fulham, 12 months after spurning the opportunity to join Boro in order to head to Craven Cottage.

The 21-year-old was given permission to travel to the North-East this week in order to undergo a medical and finalise the terms of his loan move.

It was initially hoped Muniz’s switch might have gone through in time for him to feature in tomorrow’s Championship game at Reading, but the formalities of the transfer have not been completed in time.

However, the deal is not in doubt and the South American should be confirmed as Boro’s latest summer signing at the start of next week.

“Muniz is on his way to Boro, and it will be confirmed in the next day or few hours,” confirmed Fulham boss Marco Silva, who was speaking at his press conference ahead of his side’s weekend game with Brentford. “What we need is something different to Mitro (Aleksandar Mitrovic). We need solutions.”

Muniz will attempt to reignite his career with Boro after his first season in English football did not really go to plan. His opportunities with the Cottagers were severely limited last term because of Mitrovic’s remarkable goalscoring achievements, and he has not had a look-in since Fulham returned to Premier League.

The Brazilian was handed just two league starts as Silva’s side claimed the Championship title last season, although he did make a further 23 appearances from the substitutes’ bench.

He ended the campaign with five goals, with his goals-per-minute ratio coming in at just under one goal every 90 minutes he was on the field.

Boro made an initial approach to sign him on loan during pre-season, but the Teessiders have had to be patient while Fulham have made reinforcements of their own.

Muniz was finally given permission to leave the Cottagers this week, and having successfully completed a medical, he is set to be confirmed as Boro’s latest signing ahead of next weekend’s home game with Swansea City.

“He’s (Muniz) a player that the club obviously have history with, having tried to sign him last year,” said Wilder.

“He’s a talented player, but he’s just another one that’s on the list of players that we’ve talked about and other clubs have talked about too.”