MIDDLESBROUGH have failed in a bid to bring crowd favourite Juninho back to Teesside for a third time.

The 28-year-old Brazilian is currently in his homeland after being loaned by Atletico Madrid to Vasco da Gama, where he has recaptured his old form and returned to the international reckoning.

Boro lured the diminutive midfielder to the Riverside Stadium last season on an eight-month loan deal with a view to a permanent move, but baulked at Atletico's £6m price.

And Boro head coach Terry Venables yesterday revealed that an approach to the Spanish side was made before last week's transfer deadline in an effort to revive the deal.

Venables said: "We were talking about him and enquiries were made, but I don't think it went any further than that.

"At one stage we felt it might have happened, but as far as I know it's not going to happen now.

"I've seen quite a lot of him and I like him - he's an excellent player.''

Boro manager Bryan Robson pulled off a coup when he signed Juninho from Sao Paulo for £4.75m in October 1995.

Under two years later, with Boro relegated, Juninho joined Atletico in a £12m deal.

But the move turned sour when he broke an ankle little more than six months into his Primera Liga career and missed out on a place in the Brazil squad for the last World Cup.

A series of managerial changes at Atletico left Juninho in limbo and just over two years ago Boro announced that the boy from Brazil was returning in a £10.5m transfer.

But the deal collapsed at the 11th hour and Robson, having beaten off competition from Aston Villa, had to wait until early last season before renewing his attempts.

News of Boro's latest move follows Venables' revelation a fortnight ago that the Teessiders had explored the possibility of bringing back controversial Italian striker Fabrizio Ravanelli, Juninho's former Riverside teammate.

Boro saw a deadline-day move for Ravanelli's compatriot, Benito Carbone, fall through.

But the search for new blood goes on and Venables confirmed interest in Slovakian striker Szilard Nemeth.

Inter Bratislava star Nemeth, a £2m-plus target for Sunderland, is also attracting the attention of Serie A giants Inter Milan.

Venables said: "We're interested in two or three Slovakian players and it's fair to say he is one of them.

"No move has been made yet, but we've watched him play along with others.''

Venables, whose agreement with Boro is only due to run until the end of the season, added: "I'll do what I can to help strengthen the squad for next season. That's what everyone here is trying to do.''

Meanwhile, Venables has earmarked midfielder Christian Karembeu for a right-back role if Curtis Fleming is ruled out of tomorrow's game at Chelsea.

Fleming is doubtful after picking up a toe injury while on duty with the Republic of Ireland.France star Karembeu stunned Boro this week when he revealed his desire to join Paris St. Germain.

But Venables said: "These sort of things will always come up in football. As far as I'm concerned, everyone is pulling for the cause to stay in the Premier League.'