Middlesbrough have confirmed they are in negotiations with Sporting Lisbon to sign Cameroon striker Rudolphe Douala.
It is understood that Boro have already had one bid for the 27-year-old international knocked back by the Portuguese club.
But manager Steve McLaren hopes a deal can be finalised before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.
"We made an approach and had talks and we`ve come away from it. It`s still ongoing," he told the club`s website.
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Douala`s agent, Jorge Gama, is to meet Sporting officials in an attempt to clarify his client`s future.
McLaren, who has already signed striker Aiyegbeni Yakubu and left-back Emanuel Pogatetz this summer, is in the hunt for two more players before the window closes.
Douala is a quick and dynamic forward who can play either as a striker or on the wing.
He caught McLaren`s eye with his performance for Sporting Lisbon in their Uefa Cup semi-final victory over Middlesbrough last season.
