Boro close in on Pogatetz signing

Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson says the club is closing in on Bayer Leverkusen's Emanuel Pogatetz.
The 22-year-old Austrian left-back is understood to be due to arrive on Teesside this week to discuss a move, believed to be in the region of £2m.

Pogatetz spent much of last season on loan at Graz AK in Austria and is currently at Spartak Moscow in Russia.

"I do not think it is any secret that we are close to finalising a deal for Pogatetz," said chairman Steve Gibson.

"We think he will strengthen the squad and there are a few details to sort out."

Boro boss Steve McClaren is keen to recruit Pogatetz as cover for French full-back Franck Queudrue in defence.

He spent much of the last campaign attempting to plug gaps left by a series of injuries and was indebted to the likes of veteran Colin Cooper and youngsters Tony McMahon, James Morrison and Danny Graham.

Pogatetz would become the club's second signing of the summer, with Nigerian striker Yakubu due to complete his £7.5m switch from Portsmouth on 1 July.

Boro are also reportedly interested in Juventus' Ghanaian midfielder Stephen Appiah.