Middlesbrough are set to swoop for Czech international Tomas Ujfalusi in a bid to solve their defensive problems.
And a loan move for long-time target Robert Huth is also still in the offing.
Boro boss Gareth Southgate - who saw his side ship three goals at Reading yesterday - is targeting Fiorentina star Ujfalusi after seemingly missing out on Manchester City stopper Sylvain Distin.
Despite Fiorentina's reinstatement to Serie A after initially being relegated amid the Italian match- fixing scandal, Ujfalusi is keen to move to the Premiership.
The 28-year-old played in two of his country's three group games at this summer's World Cup, winning his 50th cap in the process.
Meanwhile, Huth, who was set for a £5 million move last month until his medical revealed a broken bone in his foot, is still a potential new arrival.
"We're actively looking to improve the squad and whatever the result at Reading nothing changes in that regard," said Southgate after yesterday's defeat.
"We've agreed a fee with Manchester City for Sylvain, who's thinking things over and we're in talks with Chelsea about Robert."
But Southgate played down the latest speculation linking England star Stewart Downing with a move to Spurs.
"I haven't heard anything from Tottenham about Stewart and I'm not expecting to, it's not an issue," he said.
