Aitor Karanka has admitted that it will be "difficult" to sign a player of Stewart Downing's calibre for Middlesbrough this summer.
Boro are reportedly keen on re-signing Downing, who left the Riverside for Aston Villa six years ago, from West Ham United this summer.
However, Karanka today admitted at a press conference that it would be hard to bring a player like Downing to the Championship.
"I can't say anything about Stewart as a player because everyone knows him," Karanka told reporters.
"It's difficult to get that kind of player because he is a Premier League player. We are trying to get the squad as good as we can. I prefer to only sign players who can improve the squad."
Karanka also revealed today that it was unlikely that Boro would be able to re-sign Patrick Bamford on loan from Chelsea after he impressed in a season-long stint last term.
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