Middlesbrough Football Club are in desperate need of a creative threat and Aitor Karanka is set to turn his attentions to out-of-favour Everton winger Gerard Deulofeu.

That’s according to reports in The Gazette, who say the 22-year-old winger has been shortlisted as a target by Boro following confirmation of the Spaniards availability

Lynne Cameron/Getty Images Sport

Deulofeu never even made the squad for Everton’s 4-0 win over Manchester City and this highlighted further Koeman’s intentions to sell the former Barcelona man – especially with new signing Ademola Lookman getting on the scoresheet for the Toffees.

Karanka has worked with the winger during his time in the Spanish International youth set-up and such a move would make sense for both parties.

Boro are currently the lowest scorers in the Premier League, with Deulofeu desperate for first team action – the perfect fit it does seem.

However, Middlesbrough won’t be alone in the hunt for his signature as Italian giants AC Milan are supposedly showing a great deal of interest in the Everton man.

If Karanka does not manage to secure a deal for Deulofeu, he is not the only attacking option on the cards for Middlesbrough. Patrick Bamford looks set to rejoin the club from Chelsea.

Snodgrass, Jese and Bojan are also catching the eye on Teesside. Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images Sport