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Boro are closing in on Valencia right-back Antonio Barragan.

A delegation from Teesside is due into Valencia today and while striker Alvaro Negredo is on the agenda , the defender is also in their sights.

And a deal for the former Spain Under-21 international could be sealed quickly after initial talks last week.

Valencia would be ready to cash in on the defender who has one year left on his contract.

Boro scouts have watched the player closely over the past two seasons and Aitor Karanka believes he combines defensive solidity and athleticism and would add to his options at the back.

Barragan, now 29, started his career at Liverpool after being spotted by Anfield scouts while playing for Spain’s Under-17 side.

His only outing for the Reds was as a substitute in a Champions League qualifier against CSKA Sofia in 2006.

He joined Deportivo La Coruna for €1m in 2006 then had a spell at Valladolid before joining Valencia in a €1.5m move in July 2011.

In his five seasons at La Mestalla he has played 140 games including 23 in European competitions.