PULIS A DOUBLE DEALER

CHAMPIONSHIP leaders Middlesbrough are close to a double deal for Everton’s Yannick Bolasie and Mo Besic.

They are set to secure season-long loans for the duo within the next 24 hours.

Signing the midfield pair will come as a major boost to Boro manager Tony Pulis, who claims his squad is ill-equipped for promotion despite their unbeaten start to the season.

There could be further arrivals before the loan window closes at the end of the month, with Boro chasing Crystal Palace’s Jason Puncheon and Matt Targett of Southampton.

Besic spent the second half of last season on loan at Boro and was close to a permanent move earlier this month, only for the deal to collapse at the 11th hour due to personal terms.

Pulis was frustrated that he was unable to land any of his transfer targets on deadline day but a deal for Besic, albeit a temporary one, has been revived and is expected to go through in time for the Bosnian to be available for Friday night’s home clash against West Brom.

Bolasie, who Pulis has chased all summer, was initially holding out for a move to a Premier League club.

But he is now ready to commit himself to Boro’s promotion bid ahead of rivals Aston Villa, who also wanted him.

It is understood that Everton will pay a chunk of the pair’s respective wages of around £70,000 a week.