It is reported that Middlesbrough target, Marten de Roon, will fly to England this week to complete a move to the Riverside Stadium after a €14million bid was accepted by Atlanta.
Big coup
The 25-year-old has only been in Serie A for one season since his move from Dutch side, SC Heerenveen, but impressed in his 36 appearances for Gian Piero Gasperini's side.
The midfielder believed to have interest of Italian heavyweights, AC Milan and Napoli. However Gazette Live have said that one of Aitor Karanka's main summer targets is expected to be in England within the next 48 hours to complete his move to the North-East club.
Playing tough
It is believed that Boro have been scouting Roon for over a year and will provide more options in central midfield, alongside the likes Adam Clayton, Grant Leadbitter and Adam Forshaw. Talking about his own game, Roon said that he can be "tough to handle" on the pitch.
Roon told YouTube channel, 90/24 Sports, that sometimes "on the pitch" something "clicks" and he becomes a "different person."
He continued saying that he does "enjoy" standing on someone's toes "every now and then" or "whispering in someones ear" when they do "something wrong" or "miss a chance."
Talking about his tactics, Roon said that he goes up against "really talented players" and he has to "keep on top of them" to "throw them off their game."
He continued saying that he would "never intentionally injure anyone" or go in with "two legs" or "tackle dirty" but he does play "tough" but "fair" and keeps within the "rules of the game."
Middlesbrough will face Stoke City in their return to the Premier League, at the Riverside Stadium, on Saturday, August 13 with kick-off at 3pm BST.