AITOR KARANKA arrived in Spain last night with his Middlesbrough squad and there is every chance a new right-back will join them later in the week.

During the pre-season trip to Marbella, Karanka is being kept informed of any developments and chief executive Neil Bausor was there last night to finalise the deal for Spanish striker Kike.

Lukas Jutkiewicz was also at Burnley lto rubber stamp a £2m-plus deal and, as well as maintaining a strong interest in Huddersfield midfielder Adam Clayton, Boro are more confident on luring a new full-back to the club before anyone else.

Boro were keen on Real Betis’ Juanfran, but he has already rejected a move. Middlesbrough turned down the opportunity to sign Hungarian Jozsef Varga. It is understood Boro are reluctant to pay more than the reputed £600,000 fee that had effectively been agreed with Betis.

Karanka’s major summer signing so far, Real Murcia’s Kike, travelled to the Costa del Sol team hotel last night and he will today train for the first time with his new team-mates.

He was awaiting international clearance but passed a medical and signed a three year contract agreeing to complete his €3.5m switch having travelled to Boro for a look around recently.

Boro's spending power has been increased by the sale of Marvin Emnes to Swansea and Jutkiewicz will today be confirmed as a Burnley player.

Bolton manager Dougie Freedman was resigned to missing out on him when asked about him yesterday.

Freedman, who had him on loan last season, said: "We would all love to see Lukas back at this football club, I'm no different. But we know it isn't that simple - the financial side of things is something we all have to come to terms with.

"It doesn't surprise me that other clubs are looking at him and we are one of them but it has to be a deal to suit everybody. I'm sure our fans understand that, and they are behind us, and if it comes to the point where we can't sign Lukas then they also know there are other players we can look at too.”