Middlesbrough hope to strike a deal that will bring the Valencia forward Álvaro Negredo to the Riverside Stadium.
The newly promoted Teessiders are understood to have opened talks over the 30-year-old former Manchester City frontman as the head coach, Aitor Karanka, looks to boost the firepower at his disposal in the Premier League.
However, the negotiations are proving painstaking with Boro seeking an initial loan agreement without taking on full responsibility for the player’s existing financial package.
Discussions are understood to have been going on for some time and, though progress has been made, any deal remains distant.
The Spaniard, born in Madrid, scored 23 goals in his one season at City before returning to Spain to join Valencia, initially on loan and then in a £19m permanent switch.
He has managed five league goals in each of his last two La Liga campaigns, although his physical presence has proved a weapon.
Boro have also been credited with interest in Negredo’s club-mate Antonio Barragan, a 29-year-old right-back.