MIDDLESBROUGH are close to completing the signing of Danish left-back Lukas Engel after agreeing the framework of a deal with Silkeborg.

The Teessiders are also in talks with Atalanta over a move for striker Emmanuel Latte Lath, but at this stage, a potential deal for the Ivorian forward are at a less advanced stage. Further talks are planned for the next 24 hours though, and it is hoped a deal could progress.

Engel’s proposed move to the Riverside could be sealed in the next few days, with the 24-year-old having been identified as Boro’s preferred option to replace Ryan Giles, who returned to Wolves at the end of last season’s loan spell before completing a permanent move to Luton Town.

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An attacking full-back, who has also played on the left of midfield, Engel has been the subject of sustained transfer interest throughout the summer, with Silkeborg understood to have rejected a number of offers from clubs on the continent.

However, earlier today the Danish club informed the stock exchange that they were close to agreeing a sale, with Boro’s recruitment team understood to have agreed the terms of a move.

The Teessiders are believed to have agreed an initial fee of around £1.5m for the defender, with the total deal potentially worth around £2m.

A former Denmark Under-21 international, Engel has made 53 senior appearances since joining Silkeborg from their fellow Danish top-flight side, Vejle, in January 2022.

His initial loan move was eventually made permanent, with Engel scoring one goal and claiming ten assists last season, and making five appearances in the Europa Conference League. He has one assist from his three appearances during the current campaign in the Danish top-flight.

Boro have started the current campaign with Hayden Coulson as their number one left-back, but while Michael Carrick wants to retain the youngster in his squad following his return from a loan spell at Aberdeen last season, there has also been a desire to recruit a new number one for the position this summer.

Carrick is also determined to land a new centre-forward to replace Cameron Archer, who returned to Aston Villa at the start of the summer and is set to remain at Villa Park as part of Unai Emery’s senior squad this season.

Boro have been pursuing a number of options in the last few days, with Latte Lath now one of their leading targets. However, while there are reports in Italy suggesting a deal has been agreed, sources claim things are not yet at that advanced a stage.

It has been claimed in Italy that Latte Lath, a 24-year-old who spent last season on loan at Swiss side St Gallen, has been offered a four-year deal on Teesside, with an option for a further 12 months.

While they enjoyed considerable success in the loan market last season, Boro’s preference for the current window was always to prioritise permanent signings rather than rely on more loans.