Middlesbrough turn attention to the free agent market after missing out on Everton's Yannick Bolasie and striker deal

Talks were held about bringing the 31-year-old to the Riverside yet a deal couldn’t be agreed.

Boro boss Neil Warnock said on Friday morning he was hopeful the club could make at least one more signing before the 5pm deadline, yet no arrivals came.

Warnock also said the Teessiders could look at signing players who are free agents next week, with a new striker the priority.

Ashley Fletcher injured his hamstring against Bournemouth last month and it remains unclear how long the striker will be sidelined for.

“There are a couple of people who are out of contract who are interesting,” said Warnock ahead of Saturday’s game against Reading.

"Maybe early next week I could get a couple of lads in. We can still get a striker in in the next week.”

Despite making no signings on deadline day, Boro made five additions in total during the window, with Grant Hall, Marcus Bettinelli, Sam Morsy, Chuba Akpom and Patrick Roberts coming in.

Boro also sold goalkeeper Aynsley Pears to Blackburn in the final few hours of the window, with the 22-year-old signing a four-year deal at Ewood Park.

After the move was confirmed, Pears tweeted: “It’s with a heavy heart that I’ve left @Boro today.

"I’d like to thank each and every person who helped me realise my boyhood dreams of playing for the first team. I’ll cherish the memories forever. I wish all at the club the best for the future.”

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