MARTIN Payero will leave Middlesbrough ahead of Friday night's transfer deadline, with the midfielder poised to join Udinese.

Reports in Italy suggest the deal will be a permanent move, with Payero set to sign a four-year contract. He's travelling to Italy today to finalise the switch.

Payero joined Boro in the summer of 2021 but struggled to adapt to the English game and will leave having made just 13 league appearances on Teesside.

He spent last season on loan at Boca Juniors and the expectation on Teesside was that that move would be move permanent, but the Argentinian club opted against keeping the 24-year-old.

He returned to Boro with Michael Carrick keen to give him a chance to impress and the midfielder featured in pre-season, but he hasn't played a minute of the first four Championship games. He was left out of the squad for last Saturday's defeat at West Brom.

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With Boro set to strengthen their midfield and forward line ahead of Friday night's deadline, Payero would have been pushed even further down the pecking order. An exit for the former Banfield midfielder was always likely this week.

Boro will add to their forward line having agreed a season-long loan deal with Leeds United for Sam Greenwood. He looks set to be followed by Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O'Brien. Boro are continuing with their efforts to sign a striker.

Meanwhile, Boro will travel to Bradford in the third round of the Carabao Cup. The tie will take place in the week commencing September 25.