Get the latest Boro stories straight to your inbox with our daily newsletter Enter your email Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Reports in Spain have linked ex-Boro boss Aitor Karanka with a shock summer move to Sunderland.

The Spaniard has been out of work since his three-and-a-half-year stay on Teesside came to an end in March, though well placed reporters in his homeland claim Karanka is keen for his next job to be in England.

And according to Spanish daily newspaper Sport , the former Real Madrid man is keeping a close eye on developments at Sunderland, with the future of David Moyes uncertain after the Black Cats were relegated to the Championship at the weekend.

While Karanka's plans for his next move are unclear, a switch to the Stadium of Light would still come as a huge surprise, with the Spanish reports perhaps putting two and two together after stories emerged last week claiming that Moyes' future was yet to be resolved.

After relegation to the Championship was confirmed at the weekend, the ex-Manchester United and Everton boss revealed that he plans to sit down with Sunderland's chairman and chief executive in the coming days to assess plans as the Black Cats target an immediate top flight return.

(Image: PA)

The Spanish reports claim that if Moyes does move on, Karanka will be one of those in the reckoning on Wearside due to his success in leading Boro to promotion from the Championship.

Boro's ex-boss has also recently been linked with a move to Basque club Athletic Bilbao, for whom Karanka made more than 60 appearances during his playing career.

Bilbao's current boss Ernesto Valverde is seen as the leading candidate to replace Luis Enrique at Barcelona this summer, while the 53-year-old has also been linked with Arsenal. With the speculation not going away, Bilbao's president Josu Urrutia has called a press conference to be held this Thursday.

Should it be confirmed that Valverde will leave the club, Karanka will inevitably be linked.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

However, Spanish football journalist David Cartlidge told the Gazette he doesn't expect Karanka's next job to be in La Liga.

"I’d be surprised at this point if Karanka came to Spain in all honesty," he said.

"There has been talk but I don’t feel there is much in it, and Karanka will end up abroad. Valencia are the team who have shown the most interest in his services but it’s just speculation for the most part. Nothing for certain.



"As for Athletic, it’s a lot to do with people putting two and two together given his past at the club. Athletic are after other managers and Karanka isn’t even in the top three picks at the moment, they’re looking elsewhere and it would take a series of knock backs for Karanka to come into play."