Boro want closure on Juninho saga

Middlesbrough are ready to bring matters to a head in their bid to secure Brazilian Juninho’s return to the Riverside Stadium.

It is understood that chief executive Keith Lamb and his team are preparing to fly to Spain in an attempt to get a definitive answer from the player and his agent and father, Osvaldo Giroldo.

Boro are growing increasingly impatient after making clear to Giroldo that their latest offer, faxed to him last weekend, is their best and final offer, and that time is running out.

The Teessiders agreed a £6million fee with Juninho’s current club, Atletico Madrid, early this month, but could not agree personal terms when Giroldo flew to England days afterwards.

However, as he returned suggesting that the World Cup winner would resume his career with Madrid next season, the Teessiders upped their offer and have been waiting for a reply ever since.

The matter has been complicated by the Spaniards’ indications that he does not necessarily have a future at the Vicente Calderon Stadium, sparking more talks between officials and Juninho’s father.

Boro are hopeful that, if they can get all the parties around the negotiating table, a solution can be reached.

Although they are still intent on getting their man, they will head for the Continent determined not to be held to ransom.

The Teessiders have already pulled out of a deal to sign South Africa international striker Benni McCarthy this summer after protracted negotiations, and with the transfer window due to close within weeks, they know that they cannot wait too much longer before they have to put their contingency plans into operation.

To that end, Paris St Germain midfielder Edouard Cisse has had a short trial and is now waiting to hear whether or not Steve McClaren will pursue his interest.

George Boateng, who played in Aston Villa’s 2-0 InterToto Cup defeat by FC Zurich in Switzerland yesterday, remains a target, although a lack of progress on that front too has proved frustrating.

McClaren and his players are currently in Austria, where they will play Italian side Udinese in a pre-season friendly on Thursday.

They flew out having clinched a season-long loan deal with Real Madrid’s Cameroon international Geremi, who will now be the subject of an application for a work permit.

Among the party was 20-year-old defender Stuart Parnaby, who has set his sights on forcing his way into the first-team picture this season despite tough competition.

‘‘I’ve set myself a target of 10 first-team apearances as soon as I can,’’ he told the club’s official website, www.mfc.co.uk.

‘‘I’d like to think I have the ability - the coaches and management here think I have.

‘‘I think they see me more as a right-back. I would perhaps prefer to play in the centre of defence, but when you have Gareth Southgate and Ugo Ehiogu there, it’s rather difficult.

‘‘I’m just happy to be playing though, wherever that may be. I’m ready to give it a big shot.’’