Middlesbrough are understood to be making the signing of Uruguay international Gaston Ramirez their immediate priority after making it to the Premier League, with reports from HITC Sport suggesting talks have already been held before their game with Brighton.
The South American playmaker has enjoyed a prolific loan spell with the Teesside club since joining from Premier league outfit Southampton and it is understood that Middlesbrough have already spoken to Ramirez-soon to be out of contract-about a bumper offer to join. This is in part, reward for taking a reported cut in wages to join Middlesbrough on loan after it emerged he was earning in the region of £70,000 per week at Southampton.
If Middlesbrough could secure his services he would join fellow countrymen Christhian Stuani and Carlos De Pena and also goalkeeping coach Leo Percovich.
The reason Middlesbrough are keen to get the deal done is because Ramirez has already attracted potential suitors from Serie A and also from China. Also Ramirez will be travelling to his native South America for the Copa America during the summer and so Middlesbrough will be looking to secure the services of the impressive Ramirez.
Joining Southampton from Bologna in 2012 for £12 million Gaston Ramirez failed to make the impact the Saints would have hoped for and was loaned to Hull City where he also had a few difficulties establishing himself. However with Middlesbrough he has been trusted with the number 10 role behind the striker and has been a revelation, not only providing for his team mates but scoring goals too.
Aside from his flair and natural ability he has managed to win the hearts of the Middlesbrough faithful with hard-working displays and a feisty temperament and sustained a nasty injury in the penultimate game of the season against Brighton with the culprit Dale Stephens receiving a red card.
A bosman signing for such a quality player would be a real boost for Aitor Karanka who knows he will have to add quality in order to stave off the threat of relegation in a league they have been absent from for seven years.
