Report: Middlesbrough could land £8M Bojan buy if Stoke signs Berahino

Stoke City's Bojan Krkic is attracting interest from Middlesbrough, but once again, the transfer tattle in the United Kingdom casts Saido Berahino as its antagonist and agitator.

Boro is hopeful of an £8-million signing of Bojan, but the Guardian's Louise Taylor understands that such a deal being ratified in the Potteries may hinge on whether Mark Hughes manages to nab West Bromwich Albion's troubled forward Berahino this month.

"I am hopeful that we will be able to get something done," said Stoke boss Hughes of the Berahino pursuit. "We are interested in him, as a number of other clubs are, but nothing has moved forward from last week. We are still waiting for the player's club to give us an indication."

Berahino, who notoriously tried to force a shift from the Baggies to Tottenham Hotspur 18 months ago, has played just 245 Premier League minutes this term after he overcomes what he describes as the "most difficult" year of his career.

Stoke reportedly tabled an offer believed to be under £20 million earlier this week, looking to add Berahino to a strikeforce that has recently deployed Peter Crouch and Jonathan Walters - who are elder statesmen but admittedly of a bygone era - over the former Barcelona phenom Bojan.

The 26-year-old Spaniard's unexpected peripheral role at Stoke has encouraged Boro manager Aitor Karanka to make an approach - despite Hughes' sentiments suggesting he's not available. Karanka is apparently encouraged by Bojan's ability to run either flank and also spearhead a frontline, and he'd certainly provide an alternative means of attack to the incumbent physical pair of Alvaro Negredo and Rudy Gestede.

Middlesbrough is also interested in Hull City's wing wizard Robert Snodgrass, although it would likely face competition from West Ham United for the Scot's signature if an approach was made.

Stewart Downing, the former Riverside terrace idol turned rather ineffectual veteran, hasn't been subject of any bids to take him from Middlesbrough, with Crystal Palace's interest unlikely to reach fruition if its chase for Leicester City's £12-million-rated left-winger Jeff Schlupp is successful.