Transfer news: Middlesbrough close in on former Cardiff City winger Nathaniel Mendez-Laing after missing out on striker deals

The 27-year-old saw his contract at Cardiff terminated back in the summer, while Derby County had been credited with interest in the player.

Yet Mendez-Laing is said to be keen on a move to Boro, where he could link up with his former Bluebirds boss Neil Warnock at the Riverside.

Because the player is a free agent Boro will have until after tonight’s 11pm deadline to complete a deal, yet Warnock will want to finalise the club’s business before then.

Mendez-Laing’s arrival could allow Patrick Roberts to leave Boro, with Derby reportedly interested in the Manchester City loanee.

Warnock has made Boro’s stance clear over the last few weeks, saying discussions have taken place with Roberts but no enquiries had been made by City or other clubs.

The Boro boss is happy to keep the player, who signed a season-long loan deal in October, and has challenged him to stay at the Riverside and fight for his place.

Even so, Roberts will have been hoping for more than the four Championship starts he has received this campaign.

Boro were also looking at signing another striker before the deadline but didn’t make a move for Bristol City frontman Famara Diedhiou, despite enquiring about the 28-year-old who will be out of contract in the summer.

It was also claimed the Teessiders were interested in a move for Fulham’s Aboubakar Kamara, yet, according to Football Insider, the 25-year-old turned down a move to the Riverside to join French side Djion instead.

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