Boro transfer news LIVE: Berhalter close, Phillips and Vitek among other targets

LIVEUpdated 5 hours agoMiddlesbrough transfer news LIVE: Berhalter close, Arfsten, Phillips and Vitek also targetsLive updates as Middlesbrough continue work to strengthen their squadCommentsSportCraig Johns Middlesbrough FC writerWork continues at Middlesbrough to shape Kim Hellberg’s squad ahead of the new season.

Boro have just one pre-season friendly remaining after Saturday’s defeat to Huddersfield Town, in a training game played over two 60-minute halves.

That game saw Will Lankshear play his first minutes for the club, with Boro pushing ahead to add more to their squad before the season kicks off with a Carabao Cup first round clash with Wrexham at the Riverside in under a fortnight.

Sebastian Berhalter will be the club’s fourth summer signing this week, while Max Arftsen, Ashley Phillips and Radek Vitek are among their other targets as they look to strengthen other areas of the team.

More outgoings will also be needed too, as Boro look to balance squad numbers as well as the bank balance. Join us below for live transfer updates throughout the week.

New UpdatesToday16:28 BSTReport - timewasting trial that Kim Hellberg will likeNot transfer related but, having complained about tactical timewasting and attempting to disrupt the flow of games last season, Boro boss Kim Hellberg will no doubt approve of this...

According to a report from BBC Sport, English leagues are set to trial new measures to stop tactical timewasting from goalkeepers, who can't be forced off to wait on the sidelines after treatment in the way outfield players can.

BBC Sport say that new measures will see managers have ten seconds to nominate an outfield player to come off after a physio comes on the pitch to treat a GK. If no player has been selected within 10 seconds, the captain must leave the field.

The trial has been agreed by The Football Association, Premier League, English Football League, National League and Women's Super League. It is now subject to approval from the International Football Association Board (Ifab).

It could be in place in time for the first round of the Carabao Cup.

CommentsCraig JohnsToday14:57 BSTLatest on Van OevelenSky Sports reporting that Bolton Wanderers are also keen on a loan move for the 22-year-old keeper, who is one of the options being considered by Boro.

However, they say new Ipswich boss Gary O'Neil is keen to assess the Dutchman before deciding what the next steps are, despite earlier suggestions that Ipswich's plan was to loan him out this season.

CommentsCraig JohnsToday14:41 BSTWhat's holding up the Sebastian Berhalter announcement?It's all to do with the international paperwork that's needed to be completed for transfers to be approved.

Obviously time differences between the two countries, and the fact that Vancouver were in action on Sunday, have hled things up.

No complication understood to be a concern for the transfer, however.

Berhalter arrived on Teesside late on Thursday and is expected to be announced as a Boro player early this week.

CommentsCraig JohnsToday13:17 BSTChampionship headlinesWrexham are said to be closing in on the signing of Crystal Palace right-back Danny Imray after the clubs agreed a fee in the region of £5mMan Utd have signed 19-year-old Wales youth international goalkeeper Kit Margetson from Swansea City. After rejecting a new Swans contract, the South Wales club are due compensation, with a package said to have been agreedMillwall have signed Peterborough United winger Kyrell Lisbie on a long-term deal. The deal is said to be worth around £4mWolves are close to agreeing an initial loan exit for Tolu Arokodare with Ajax. The striker was said to have caused training to be cancelled recently after refusing to leave the training pitch. He denied the reports.CommentsCraig JohnsToday13:09 BSTFormer Boro keeper 'earned' Hartlepool transferOver the weekend, Hartlepool signed former Boro keeper Nathan Fisher, after his release from Boro this summer.

Boss Lee Clark, speaking about the move, told the club website:

"Nathan has earned this opportunity through the way he has applied himself during his time with us in pre-season. He came into the group with a great attitude and has impressed us with the way he has trained, conducted himself and responded to everything that has been asked of him.

"He’s a talented young goalkeeper with good physical attributes, who’s comfortable with the ball at his feet and has a real desire to keep learning and improving.

“Adam Smith (GK coach) has worked closely with Nathan over the last few weeks and has been really impressed with his potential. We believe this is the right environment for him to continue his development, while also providing strong competition within our goalkeeping department.

"Nathan has spent a number of years within an excellent academy system at Middlesbrough and is now ready to make the transition into senior football. He is hungry, ambitious and understands that he will have to work hard every day, but we are delighted to have him with us and look forward to helping him progress.”

CommentsCraig JohnsToday12:50 BSTAshley Phillips latestThe centre-back is a link that emerged that has some legs.

Boro like the Tottenham CB, who spent the last two years on loan at Stoke City, but a deal is described as tough to do.

Reports have suggested Spurs would want £10m for the 21-year-old, but there is, of course, potential for that to be structured so Boro aren't paying quite as much immediately - as was the case with the Will Lankshear deal.

Phillips is expected to leave Spurs this summer and was left out of the travelling squad currently in New Zealand on a pre-season tour.

But many Championship clubs are interested. Similar to the GK situation, Boro are said to have alternative options that are being explored too.

CommentsCraig JohnsToday12:05 BSTMax ArfstenBoro's top left-back target. As yet, however, nothing agreed with Columbus Crew for the USA international.

He played his second game back after the World Cup last night as Columbus beat Cincinnati 2-1.

On Wednesday evening/Thursday morning UK time, he'll play in the MLS All-Star game, having been selected for that team for the second consecutive year. That's a major honour Stateside.

Could we then potentially see movement after that? Let's hope so.

CommentsCraig JohnsToday11:53 BSTAnother option in goal for BoroKayne Van Oevelen, meanwhile, is a potential loan option for Boro, having signed for newly-promoted Ipswich Town this summer.

The 22-year-old Dutchman signed a five-year deal at Portman Road earlier this month, joining from relegated Eredivisie side Volendam.

Ipswich’s plan after signing the GK prospect is to try and find a Championship loan for him to play regular football while acclimatising to English football.

CommentsCraig JohnsToday11:34 BSTRadek Vitek latestBoth have held conversations over the possibility of a permanent transfer for Vitek, who impressed last season while on loan at Bristol City.

As yet, those talks have not progressed, however, and a deal is described as difficult. Vitek has many options having made his desire to leave Old Trafford this summer to play regular football clear.

CommentsCraig JohnsToday11:15 BSTJon McLaughlin contractTraining with the club all summer, despite being announced as released, the club have confirmed that Jon McLaughlin has signed a new one-year contract.

He will remain third-choice keeper next term.

CommentsCraig JohnsToday11:04 BSTSebastian Berhalter latestExpecting that one to be announced at some point early this week.

Not aware of any complications. Berhalter arrived late on Thursday and had a number of things to do, including completing the formalities of the deal, undergoing his medical, and then the club will need to finalise the international paperwork for the deal to be confirmed.

That one could even come at some point today.

CommentsCraig JohnsToday10:54 BSTWelcomeHello and welcome to the live transfer blog.

A new week so a new blog, but expect the same as Boro continue their push for more signings.

Sebastian Berhalter has been on Teesside all weekend and is expected to be unveiled as a Boro player early this week - potentially even today.

Max Arfsten, Ashley Phillips, Radek Vitek and Kayne van Oevelen all players who Boro are considering after being linked. We'll have more detail on all of them individually coming up.