Middlesbrough are facing a potential setback in their pursuit of Martin Payero, according to reports from the Hartlepool Mail.

Reports emerged earlier this week via Football Insider claiming that the Teessiders were closing in on a deal to sign the 22-year-old midfielder from Atletico Banfield following a successful season with the club.

The attacking midfielder looked set to join the club in the next week but issues with his work permit could prove to be a stumbling block, with Payero yet to make a senior appearance for Argentina despite being involved in the club's Tokyo Olympics squad this summer.

The Hartlepool Mail spoke to the man who broke the news of Middlesbrough's Payero interest, Argentine journalist German García Grova, who believes that the player may need to move back to Banfield on loan if he fails to secure a work permit to complete the move.

Speaking to the Hartlepool Mail, he said: "The information that we have is there is some trouble to get the work permit to play.

“He’s now leaving Argentina to play in Tokyo for the Olympic Games, he’s then going to England for the medical test. Then he’s going to know if he’s going to get the permission or not.
"The information that we have is that there is some problem so he will be transferred to Middlesbrough but might carry on playing here in Argentina with Banfield for one season extra.”

 

 

The verdict

This is certainly a bit of a blow for Middlesbrough.

Martin Payero is a player who has really got pulses racing around Teesside with supporters really excited by the prospect of the South American arrival.

Unfortunately this work permit situation could prove to be troublesome given that he's yet to represent Argentina at a senior level.

It remains to be seen how this situation will play out but if the only option is seeing the player return to Banfield on loan then it means that Middlesbrough will face a big decision.