Source: Northern_Echo
Strachan ready to seal transfer for Tavares
MIDDLESBROUGH hope to reveal a solution to their midfield problems today by adding a new face on a season-long loan to replace Didier Digard.[LNB] Hamburg's Mickael Tavares is favourite to arrive, having interested manager Gordon Strachan in recent weeks since he was made available by the Bundesliga club.[LNB] Boro were reluctant to reveal the identity of their target before a deal had been concluded, although it was claimed last night in Germany there has been contact between the clubs.[LNB] Strachan has been forced to look for another central midfielder after injuries to Kevin Thomson, Gary O'Neil, Rhys Williams and Willo Flood.[LNB] Nicky Bailey, who has also been operating there, is a doubt for tomorrow's trip to Barnsley with a groin problem.[LNB] The Boro boss remains hopeful a deal can be struck before Tuesday's transfer deadline with Dundee United for Craig Conway.[LNB] Strachan said: We are close to getting a loan deal in for a midfielder, it should be done in next 24 hours hopefully. It is a season-long loan.[LNB] Tavares, 27, has been with Hamburg since moving from Slavia Prague in January last year, but spent the final few months of last season on loan at Nuremburg.[LNB] Strachan has stepped up his efforts to strengthen his squad with time ticking towards the transfer deadline.[LNB] Confirmation is imminent on the departures of Digard and Mido, to Nice and Ajax respectively.[LNB] As well as Digard, who has two years remaining on his deal at Middlesbrough, heading to Nice again, Mido should finalise a loan switch to Amsterdam which takes him up to the end of his existing terms at the Riverside.[LNB] Mido and Digard will be leaving the club. There is no doubt about that, said Strachan.[LNB] They will not be involved in the 25-man squad although I do not know exactly when they are leaving.[LNB]
