Sources: Middlesbrough in advanced talks to sign Payero from Atletico
Middlesbrough are in advanced talks to sign Atletico Banfield midfielder Martin Payero, Football Insider can exclusively reveal.
The 22-year-old is regarded as a huge talent in Argentina and has been named in their squad for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.
A Boro source has told Football Insider that the club are closing in on the capture of Payero and are confident of agreeing a deal following talks.
Payero has played just 60 professional games but forced his way into the Argentina Olympic squad.
He spent the 2019-20 season on loan with Talleres but is now a regular for Banfield.
The central-midfielder is out of contract next summer and could offer Neil Warnock reinforcements in the middle of the park.
As first revealed by Football Insider, George Saville has left Boro to sign for Championship rivals Millwall for a fourth time.
Saville scored six goals and provided four assists in the Championship last term as Middlesbrough finished 10th.
Warnock will be hoping to bridge the 13 point gap to the play-offs in his second season in charge of the Wearside outfit.
Payero could offer the veteran boss a creative outlet after he provided five goals and scored once in six Copa Diego Maradona games.
Across his domestic career, Payero's 60 games have yielded 11 assists and three goals.
His Banfield side are currently sixth in the Argentine Premera Division with 13 games already played this season.