MIDDLESBROUGH will confirm the signing of Uruguay international Christian Stuani within the next 24 hours – and are also pondering a move for a second South American striker.

As revealed in The Northern Echo, the Teessiders have agreed a €3m (£2.1m) deal for Stuani with Spanish side Espanyol, and with the striker due to return from his summer break today, the technicalities of the transfer should be completed shortly.

Stuani, who scored 15 league and cup goals for Espanyol last season, was granted an extended break after he was part of the Uruguay squad at the recent Copa America.

His arrival is a notable coup for Middlesbrough, who have persuaded the 28-year-old to move to the Championship despite competing interest from a number of clubs in La Liga.

Stuani is expected to join up with his new Boro team-mates on their training camp in Marbella, and he could yet be joined by Stewart Downing, who is hoping to complete his exit from West Ham United before the end of the week.

Stuani and Downing have long been Boro’s two main summer targets, but having also agreed a loan deal for Chelsea defender Tomas Kalas, Karanka is still hoping to add another couple of players to help strengthen his squad.

Jonathas de Jesus, a 26-year-old forward who is currently on the books of Italian club Pescara, has emerged as a potential signing in the last few weeks, with Boro’s recruitment team aware of his availability following a successful loan spell in La Liga last season.

The Brazilian striker, who started his career in his homeland with Cruzeiro before joining Dutch side AZ Alkmaar in 2009, joined Spanish side Elche on a two-year loan deal last summer.

He performed creditably last season, scoring 14 goals in 34 appearances, and Elche are keen to retain his services for another 12 months.

However, the terms of his loan deal enable Pescara to sell him if they receive an acceptable offer, and Boro are considering triggering the clause provided they can secure a work permit.

That would not be straightforward as de Jesus, who has also been linked with Celtic in recent weeks, has only represented Brazil at Under-19 level, but the Teessiders will take soundings from the Home Office before deciding whether to step up their interest.