Boro close in on Mendieta

Middlesbrough have almost completed a season-long loan deal for Lazio’s Gaizka Mendieta, according to the player’s club and agent.

Atletico Madrid have been chasing the Spanish international midfielder and Athletic Bilbao are also understood to have made an offer to the Roman club.

But Lazio and Mendieta’s agent confirmed this morning that the player is set to play his football on Teesside this season on loan with a view to a permanent move.

“Negotiations are very advanced with Middlesbrough,” Mendieta’s agent Alberto Toldra told PA International.

“We are talking to Lazio this morning and it could all be resolved in the next few hours.”

Lazio president Ugo Longo also said: “Middlesbrough have shown more interest in acquiring Gaizka Mendieta and are the prime candidates to get the player.

“Mendieta’s future will be resolved by the end of the week.”

The transfer market closes on August 31, and Lazio have already announced that Mendieta will not play at the Stadio Olimpico this season – despite his willingness earlier this summer to accept a wage cut for a contract extension.

The attacking midfielder, a key figure in Valencia’s teams which reached the Champions League finals in successive years, has had a dip in form since his move to Serie A two years ago.