Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate has revealed the Teessiders are in talks with more than one club as they bid to strengthen their squad.

Brazil international strikers Afonso Alves and Fred have both been heavily linked with Boro, but Southgate has refused to be drawn into confirming the names of players he wants to bring to the Riverside.

"We are talking to different clubs about two or three players because if we go for only one and that falls down for whatever reason then we'd be left with nothing," Southgate told the club's website.

"So all options are open this way."

Asked whether fans could expect a new signing in the next week, Southgate added: "Possibly. I can't put my hand on my heart and say there won't be or there will be, because it is difficult to put a timescale on it."