LUTON Town appear to be closing in on the signing of Ryan Giles, with reports from the Midlands suggesting the Wolves left-back is scheduled to have his medical with the Premier League newcomers today.
Middlesbrough had hopes of bringing the 23-year-old back to the Riverside this summer after his hugely impressive loan spell on Teesside last season, but the Hatters emerged as the frontrunners in the race to sign Giles late last week.
The left-sider didn’t travel with Wolves on their pre-season training camp to Portugal a week ago as negotiations continued, with reports claiming a fee in the region of £5m has now been agreed between the two top flight clubs.
Giles was one of the stand-out players in the Championship last season and, with strengthening at left-back a priority, was a leading target for Boro this summer, but there was always bound to be competition given his form last term.
Leicester City were also linked earlier in the window before Luton’s interest emerged.
Quizzed on Giles after Wednesday night’s 3-3 pre-season friendly draw with Bradford, Boro head coach Michael Carrick said: “Gilo had a good season with us last season, but he was on loan and that’s the thing about loan players, they’ve got to go back. We’re obviously looking to do things in the window, so we’ll see what comes from it.”
With Giles seemingly set for Luton, Boro were linked with Alex Bangura from Dutch side SC Cambuur over the weekend.
The 24-year-old, like Giles, is a full-back who is comfortable going forward and is also said to be wanted by clubs in Holland, Italy and Belgium
Earlier this summer, he made it clear that he would be interested in a move, saying: “The club knows how I feel about it. Now is the time. There are no offers yet, but should a nice club present itself, then I could leave, yes.”
