Middlesbrough are chasing Espanyol's Japan international Shunsuke Nakamura.

Boro boss Gordon Strachan knows the Japanese ace well from their time together at Celtic.

Nakamura has thus far failed to make the expected impact in Barcelona.

Now Boro, who could be set to lose Adam Johnson before Monday's transfer deadline, have made enquiries about Nakamura.

"It is true that Middlesbrough have asked about him, but nothing more," Espanyol's sporting director Ramon Planes told La Vanguardia.

"We listen to offers for all players, but I doubt that Nakamura wants to leave."