MIDDLESBROUGH are hoping to seal the signature of versatile winger Rudolph Douala before the Premiership opener with Liverpool - despite Sporting Lisbon's £7m valuation.

Sporting have already rejected Boro's initial offer, believed to be £4.2m, but hope both clubs can come to an agreement somewhere in the middle.

Riverside Stadium chief executive Keith Lamb flew out to Portugal on Thursday and was still in the Iberian region last night with agent Barry Silkman in an attempt to broker a deal.

Boro have been encouraged by Douala's claims that he is attracted by the prospect of playing in the Premiership, although he will not accept terms below what he believes he deserves.

"I know there was a meeting between Sporting and Middlesbrough but I always knew Sporting are counting on me for the season," said Douala, who could be joined on Teesside by Sporting team-mate Fabio Rochemback.

"Nobody has told me anything but first of all the clubs have to reach an agreement. I won't settle for anything and it would depend on the conditions offered to me anyway.

"I am not asking to leave but I know Middlesbrough are interested in signing me. Sporting are a big club but the English league is also very attractive. I am just near my 27th birthday and I have to think about what's best for me."

Boro remain confident Douala will become their third signing of the summer, having taken longer than expected to bolster their squad.

Manager Steve McClaren spoke yesterday of his determination to bring new faces in after being knocked back in his advances for Owen Hargreaves, Bolo Zenden and Stephen Appiah.

A lack of midfield competition is threatening to scupper Boro's chances of a top-six place but McClaren has left Lamb and chairman Steve Gibson trying to address that problem.

The North-East outfit have even tried to make Douala part of a deal that would also see Brazilian Rochemback arrive at the club.

However, the South American's situation is a lot more complicated as he is only on loan in Portugal and his official registration papers still lie with Barcelona.

To make matters worse he is likely to find it more difficult to get a work permit as he has not been a regular for Brazil.

Both Douala, known for his lightning pace and capable of playing on either wing, and creative midfielder Rochemback were instrumental in Sporting's UEFA Cup last-16 victory over Boro this year.

McClaren is convinced he has a squad ready to make a good start at home to Liverpool a week today but also realises it needs to be strengthened before the transfer window closes on August 31.

"We have a month to go and I'm talking long-term, rather than needing them before the start of the season," said McClaren, who would also like to have a new centre-back on board.

"We have the strikers to score but we didn't give them the best of service last season and that's something we are trying to address, both internally and externally."

Centre-back Ugo Ehiogu trained yesterday after the groin problem he suffered during Wednesday's defeat to Atletico Madrid disappeared.

That means Ehiogu should retain his starting place at the heart of the Boro defence in the final pre-season friendly of the summer against Espanyol tomorrow.

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