Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate has confirmed that he is trying to sign South Korean Lee Dong-gook.
The 27-year-old striker has been training with the North East outfit in recent weeks and has done enough to earn a move.
Boro are now in talks with Lee's club Pohang Steelers about a move and Southgate is hoping something could be done this week.
"We've had a good look at him and it's something we would like to pursue," said Southgate.
"The fact that the lad was prepared to come and have a trial tells me a lot about his character.
"I've been very impressed with what he's done, his pedigree is excellent, he has experience at international level and he's been involved in the Korea squad for a number of years.
"He's a very experienced international striker who would have been their main striker at last year's World Cup but for an injury just before the tournament.
"He's impressed me in training and we would like to take it further but at the moment we haven't completed anything.
"He's undergoing some medical tests and we're in conversations with his club back in Korea. Hopefully we will have some news in the next couple of days."
The move, if it materialises, will be the second European spell for Lee after he spent a brief unsuccessful stint with Werder Bremen earlier in his career.
Should Lee seal the move he will be the fourth South Korean in the Premiership along with fellow countrymen Park Ji-sung, Lee Young-pyo and Seol Ki-hyeon.
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