Karanka eyes strengthening job for Boro in transfer window

Aitor Karanka admits Middlesbrough will only move for players of the right calibre in this month’s transfer window as they look to strengthen their options on the pitch.

Boro have recorded four wins, seven draws and nine defeats this season upon their return to the Premier League.

They have failed to win in three games however, losing to Burnley and Manchester United as well as playing out a goalless draw with Leicester City last time out.

(Photo by Dave Thompson/Getty Images)

That has left them dropping towards the danger zone in the table although the club are currently in talks with Aston Villa about signing Rudy Gestede to boost their attacking ranks.

And while eyeing up a busy transfer window, Karanka was also keen to stress how far the team has progressed in the last 12 months.

“I want to finish the transfer market with a better squad than we have now. We have one month to do our things,” he said.

“The group has been working really well, in the same way that we did in pre-season, so it’s a case of keeping going and be focused on the games.

“I said after the game at West Ham or Man Utd on Saturday, I don’t want to say anything about my players because all of them since the first day up to now are working hard.

“But when you have an opponent team with players like Payet or Ibrahimovic or Pogba, it’s hard.

“We have to know it’ll be difficult to win games as we can’t forget we were in the Championship last season.

“But we have to be organised, not concede goals and try to take chances. If we can’t win the games then at least don’t lose them.”