KIERAN Scott says Middlesbrough "aren't done yet" in the transfer window as the club's head of football works on more deals to top off what has been a hugely impressive summer of business.
Scott and head of recruitment Chris Jones have overseen an eye-catching summer window in which leading targets such as Will Lankshear, Radek Vitek, Sebastian Berhalter and Ashley Phillips have all been signed.
But Scott says Boro "still feel they can be stronger" and are working on more additions ahead of the September 1 deadline.
Scott was speaking as the special guest on an hour-long show on BBC Tees on Thursday night, and he also revealed that he expects Boro to utilise the Premier League loan market in the final stages of the window.
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On the subject of temporary deals, Sontje Hansen has tonight joined Gaziantep FK on a season-long loan. The Turkish top flight club say they have the option to make the deal permanent.
But Scott says Boro haven't had any contact from PAOK over David Strelec despite claims from Europe earlier on Thursday that the Greek side had agreed personal terms with the striker.
There's interest in Strelec - Getafe were another club linked at the weekend - but when Thursday's reports from Greece were put to Scott, he said: "It's news to me. He's not come to me. I'm not saying there isn't anything in it but we've had no contact from PAOK.
"If they've agreed stuff they've agreed stuff but they've not called us."
Whether Strelec is still a Boro player beyond the end of the transfer window is not clear. The Slovakian international had a disappointing first season at the Riverside and has been pushed down the pecking order by the arrivals of Will Lankshear and Kyle Joseph.
If the right deal presented itself then Boro might well decide that it suits all parties.
But as things stand, Boro have not received any formal bids and Strelec returned to training at Rockliffe this week after a spell out with injury.
Boro have made an excellent start to the season, beating Wrexham to progress in the Carabao Cup before battling back from behind against Lincoln to kick off their Championship campaign with a win.
And their new recruits have started well. Lankshear has scored three goals in two games and Vitek and Berhalter have slotted straight into the side.
But there'll be more new faces through the door in the next week and a half, with a central midfielder and a wide attacker the priorities for Boro's recruitment team.
Scott told BBC Tees: "We did some good business early but we know there's more to do.
"It doesn't feel like Premier League clubs are really looking to get people out until the first round of games.
"Once they start maybe it starts freeing up players and there's movement across the board. We're still looking to be aggressive and finishing up the work we've done."
Scott added: "We know there's still areas [to strengthen]. What I don't want to do is broadcast everything and say what we want to do.
"But take it from me, we're not done, we're still working on a few areas and we still feel like we can be stronger. We've strengthened but we can still be stronger."
Boro have had success in the past with Premier League loans and that's a market they'll again look to take advantage of.
Scott said: "We haven't utilised the loan market yet but we think this is when it will start to kick off and we're open.
"There's areas we want to strengthen and we are looking. I'm pretty confident we'll use the loan market."
Scott also revealed that one of the departments where Boro are looking to add depth and cover is at right-back, but that's tricky, he says, with Callum Brittain a nailed on starter.
He said: "Callum for me is one of, if not the best right-back in the league but we're an injury or suspension away from being a bit light there.
"We are looking but it's not easy to convince someone to play behind Callum. He's a fit strong boy and he plays a lot of games.
"We're just waiting for the right peg to drop. It is something we're looking at but it's not an easy one to fill."
LISTEN BACK TO KIERAN SCOTT'S INTERVIEW WITH BBC TEES IN FULL HERE.
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