MIDDLESBROUGH are closing in on Spanish striker Kike Sola.

But Aitor Karanka insists a deal for Swedish defender Victor Lindelof is still some way from being sealed.

The Boro boss is confident of sealing a loan move for Sola, and the 29-year-old Athletic Bilbao forward could even be involved at Bristol City on Saturday as the Championship leaders bid to extend their five-point advantage at the top.

"We're close with Sola," the Middlesbrough manager said. "He's a player who can bring us something different, he's strong and experienced and he can play as a second striker so that can be really good for us. He'll bring something we don't have.

"I don't know if he'll be available for Saturday because at the moment the deal is not done."

Middlesbrough are considering a move for Benfica's Sweden Under-21 international Lindelof, but the transfer is far from complete.

An initial loan with a view to a permanent move for the imposing 21-year-old has been suggested as Karanka looks to beef-up his defensive options for the second half of what has so far been a highly successful campaign.

Spanish side Real Valladolid are also interested in the Scandinavian stopper, who Middlesbrough have tracked for the best part of 12 months.

Karanka will wait until tomorrow to assess the fitness of Ben Gibson after the defender missed Tuesday's victory at Brentford with an injury sustained in training.

On the potential move for Lindelof, he added: "He is a really good player, his name is on the list but it's not imminent at the moment. We have other players to look at as well."