Brad Guzan is close to becoming Aitor Karanka’s ninth signing of the summer as Middlesbrough’s manager continues to remodel his promoted side.
The 31-year-old USA international goalkeeper is no longer wanted by Aston Villa and is expected to join on a free transfer after agreeing a two-year deal. Guzan would be expected to challenge fellow newcomer, the former Barcelona and Manchester United keeper Víctor Valdés, and Dimi Konstantopoulos for a starting slot in the Premier League.
Guzan is unlikely to be the final close-season signing as Karanka is very much in the market for a centre-half. The Spaniard had agreed a near £10m deal to sign the Serbian defender Neven Subotic from Borussia Dortmund but the club medical revealed a rib problem, the transfer collapsed and Subotic was then forced to undergo chest surgery. He is not expected to return to training with Borussia Dortmund until well into next year.
Karanka has turned his attention to Harry Maguire, the 23-year-old Hull City centre-half. However, Maguire is unlikely to be released cheaply and seems much needed at the KC Stadium where injury will sideline Michael Dawson for the first three months of the season.
