What Neil Warnock said about Martin Payero transfer reports as Middlesbrough boss eyes more signings before Fulham clash

Reports from Argentina had claimed Boro had agreed a fee with top-flight side Banfield for the 22-year-old midfielder, an Argentine youth international.

The fee being reported was clearly out of the Teessiders’ price range, though, as Warnock confirmed during an interview with BBC Tees Sport.

Boro have completed the signings of striker Uche Ikpeazu from Wycombe on a three-year deal and experienced defender Lee Peltier, as well as goalkeeper Joe Lumley and winger Sammy Ameobi, this summer.

Warnock now wants to sign four or five more players before the season starts in August, and says the club have been looking in several different countries, with Leo Percovich providing useful contacts in South America.

When Payero’s name was put to him, Warnock joked: “Who? Is he a footballer?

The Boro boss went on to say: “We agreed a deal of over £1million for Uche according to the press. If I tell you it’s just over half that amount and the only way they are going to get £1million is if we get promotion, if we stay up the second year and probably if he plays an England game or Nigerian game or something like that. They do get a bit carried away with prices.

“We have looked in Argentina, Brazil because Leo is very good at that, he’s got a lot of contacts as well. We look all over the world.

“I think in certain countries, the type of player doesn't get fazed by the English type of football. The Championship is a hard division really. I think sometimes it’s easier in the Premier League than the Championship.

“We are looking all over the place but put it this way, there’s no way we will be paying £5.9million for a player so you can put that to bed.”

Boro returned to pre-season this week and will play their first friendly against Bishop Aukland on Wednesday, July 14.

The side’s opening Championship fixture at Fulham will take place on Sunday, August 8 (1:30pm kick-off).

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