Middlesbrough are believed to be closing in on a move for Sparta Rotterdam winger Marvin Emnes.

The 20-year-old has attracted the interest of a host of clubs after an impressive season last term in Rotterdam.

Emnes scored eight goals in 26 games last term and was named as Sparta fans' player of the year.

Feyenoord, Ajax and Heerenveen have all been credited with an interest in Emnes, along with German side Eintracht Frankfurt, but now Middlesbrough are thought to have jumped to the head of the queue for the Holland Under 21 international.

Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is keen to bolster his squad ahead of the new season and chief executive Keith Lamb admitted the club were closing in on new signings.

SKYSPORTS

Read in the mirror this morning that it was a done deal for 2.8 million. could be a good signing, cheap and young

Nice to see we are hunting around for players and making some deals. Hopefully we will have a strong squad for the new season.

Emnes usually plays on the right so if he joined Boro what would happen to Gary O'Neil? He did pretty well last season, didn't he?

He started of good but finished of crap. There was rumours saying he couldn't settle in the area.

Originally Posted by gbnine

Emnes usually plays on the right so if he joined Boro what would happen to Gary O'Neil? He did pretty well last season, didn't he?

I hope O'Neil isn't on the wing next season. Fair enough, he puts 100% effort in all the time but he doesn't produce anything worthwhile. We need a proper winger who can get the ball into the box and chip in with a few goals.

Originally Posted by cliffy

I hope O'Neil isn't on the wing next season. Fair enough, he puts 100% effort in all the time but he doesn't produce anything worthwhile. We need a proper winger who can get the ball into the box and chip in with a few goals.

Sounds a bit like Lennon

Originally Posted by gbnine

Sounds a bit like Lennon

mmm... apart from the effort

Originally Posted by YIDDO

mmm... apart from the effort

You're fed up with him too, eh?

Originally Posted by gbnine

You're fed up with him too, eh?

don't think he's good enough anymore - if he didn't get compacent because of his pace and continued to try and progress he would be brilliant.

get him out and stick malbranque or jenas on the right!

Originally Posted by YIDDO

don't think he's good enough anymore - if he didn't get compacent because of his pace and continued to try and progress he would be brilliant.

get him out and stick malbranque or jenas on the right!

Malbranque on the right for me.

Originally Posted by gbnine

Emnes what would happen to Gary O'Neil? He did pretty well last season, didn't he?

did he. think i must of drifted asleep when that happened.

oneil needs replacing he isnt good enough. yes he gives the effort, but he cant shoot and he cant cross. for a winger you need to at least be able to cross

Looks like we've signed him. It says on ssn that we got him for 3.2. I've not seen him so I can't rate him, he's only 20 though!

Good player think he will do well in the prem