MIDDLESBROUGH are set to kick off their summer recruitment drive with the signing of two promising youngsters.

The Teessiders have agreed a deal with Dutch side PEC Zwolle for Rav van den Berg, with the 18-year-old defender set to undergo a medical and finalise personal terms this week.

And Boro’s recruitment team are also closing in on an agreement with 21-year-old forward Alex Gilbert, who has turned down the offer of a new deal with his current club, Brentford.

Boro’s talks over van den Berg stepped up considerably at the end of last week, with the club having beaten off competition from a number of Europe’s leading sides to land the teenager.

Roma, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan were all linked with van den Berg earlier this summer, but the lure of a first-team opportunity at the Riverside has helped convince the youngster to head to England rather than the continent.

He had entered the final year of his contract with Zwolle, having progressed through the youth ranks of the Dutch club, and Boro have agreed a deal that suits both parties.

Van den Berg, who is the younger brother of Liverpool player Sepp, made 19 senior appearances last season as Zwolle won promotion to the Eredivisie from the Eerste Divisie, which is the Dutch second division.

Primarily a centre-half, he has also slotted into both full-back positions when required, and is a Netherlands Under-20 international.

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While he will be given time to settle into his new surrounds given his relative lack of experience and young age, it is hoped he will be able to provide competition for Darragh Lenihan, Dael Fry and Paddy McNair in Boro’s central-defensive positions.

Boro have also held discussions over Gilbert and are hopeful of sealing a deal for the forward, who is keen to leave Brentford in search of regular first-team football.

Birmingham-born Gilbert was Brentford B’s Player of the Year last season and leading scorer with 16 goals as they won the Premier League Cup.

A Republic of Ireland Under-21 international, he joined the Bees from West Brom’s academy in 2020 and has made two senior appearances for Thomas Frank’s side.

He played against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup third round in 2021, but was not offered a single first-team appearance last term as his involvement was limited to second-team level.

That prompted him to reject Brentford’s offer of a new deal in west London, prompting something of a scramble for his services.

Wolves and Nottingham Forest are understood to have held talks with his representatives, but Boro have been pushing hard and are increasingly confident of being able to pull of a deal.

While Gilbert will move as a free agent, his age means Brentford will be due a compensation fee for his services which is likely to result in a deal worth around £1m, the majority of which will be paid in an up-front fee.