MIDDLESBROUGH are hoping the capture of Spain international Gazkio Mendieta will trigger a successful further double swoop, with Danny Mills already on his way to the Riverside.

The Leeds and England full-back is expected to put pen to paper on a year-long loan deal on Teesside today, with manager Steve McClaren hoping Fulham's Sean Davis will also opt for a future on Teesside.

McClaren is convinced the signing of the Lazio midfielder will help persuade Davis, and others, to head for the Riverside.

After last season's loan star Geremi joined Chelsea, the Boro boss was frustrated as attempts to lure a string of targets came to nothing.

Trevor Sinclair, Brett Emerton and David Dunn were all tracked by McClaren but opted to move elsewhere in the Premiership.

But Mendieta's arrival is likely to be the catalyst for more new faces, and McClaren said: "Bringing Gaizka here shows the ambition of the club.

"Any footballer looking at signing for a club will look at the players already there to see that club's ambitions.

"We've been searching for one or two really special players to help take the club forward."

However, McClaren refused to be drawn on the transfer of Mills, or a deal for Davis, who is also talking to Everton.

"I wouldn't like to talk about individual players before they've signed," said McClaren.

Mills is keen to remain at his Wetherby home and has chosen a move to Boro ahead of a switch to Steve Bruce's Birmingham City.

However, Fulham have agreed a £5.5m fee with Boro and Everton for 23-year-old Davis, and Toffees' boss Moyes has stolen a march on McClaren by officially opening transfer talks yesterday.

However, Davis' agent Paul Stretford still insists Middlesbrough are involved in negotiations, which means it is unlikely any deal will be completed until the middle of next week, with the transfer deadline looming on August 31.

Moyes said: ''Sean has been up to see us for a couple of days and I think he indicated he would be keen to join Everton, but we still have a week or so before we have to make any decisions.

''He's injured (knee) at the moment so we will wait until the middle of next week and then look at things again."