Juninho moving closer to Boro switch

Juninho’s proposed return to Middlesbrough moved a step closer today after his father and agent, Osvaldo Giroldo, confirmed the midfielder intends to step up negotiations.

The Premiership club have already agreed an unconfirmed fee with Atletico Madrid for the Brazilian World Cup winner and confirmed both parties had opened talks to bring the diminutive playmaker back to Teesside after a two-year absence.

‘‘We have begun negotiations with Middlesbrough, but we want to carry them further,’’ Osvaldo Giroldo told the Spanish press.

‘‘As soon as they call me and we can establish some guidelines, I will travel to continue the negotiations.’’

Juninho, who has been on loan for the past two years to Brazilian clubs Vasco da Gama and Flamengo, made a major impact in England after arriving in a £4.75million move from Sao Paolo in November 1995.

He returned on loan in September 1999, but appeared to be struggling after a serious leg fracture.

However, the 27-year-old looked to be back to his best during the World Cup finals in Japan and Korea and came on as a late substitute in his country’s historic 2-0 final victory over Germany.