IT is somewhat rare for an established Championship club to hog the summer transfer headlines at second-tier level ahead of rivals armed with sizeable parachute payments fresh from Premier League relegation.
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In the first half of August, that is the situation Middlesbrough, last season's beaten play-off finalists, currently find themselves in, with their extensive and head-turning - summer signing spree showing no signs of abating.
The next significant inward arrival, barring any late hitches, will be Manchester United goalkeeper Radek Vitek—in what would constitute another major coup for the Teessiders, who are also pushing to sign Tottenham Hotspur defender Ashley Phillips.
Czech-born Vitek was finalising his move to the club as The Yorkshire Post went to press, following on from Boro's major deals to sign USA international duo Max Arfsten and Sebastian Berhalter and Spurs striker Will Lankshear, with the latter joining for an initial £10 million.
Boro are expected to pay an up-front fee of £7million for Vitek, with a potential further £7m in add-ons included in the deal.
The 22-year-old, who excelled in a season-long loan at Bristol City in 25-26, has been Boro's top goalkeeping target, with the club keen to bring in another option alongside Sol Brynn; the newcomer is earmarked as the club's new number one.
A buy-back clause has been inserted into in Vitek deal by United, alongside a 35 per cent sell-on clause.
Boro had previously been linked with several other keepers this summer including former loanee Mark Travers - now at Everton - and Dutch custodian Kayne van Oevelen, who has since joined Ipswich Town.
Rule changes mean that from next season, the SCR allowance for Championship clubs is set at 85 per cent of income, with a flexible equity top-up allowance - from owner funding - of £33m over a three-year period, up to a maximum of £15m a season.
Earlier this summer, Boro sold Hayden Hackney in a big-money move and secured a windfall following Morgan Rogers' switch to Chelsea.
Alongside the incomings, Boro are also busy making room in their squad with some ongoings.
Delano Burgzorg, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Bristol City, is poised to join Preston North End in a £2m move.
Meanwhile, forward Kaly Sene, who has endured a difficult time on Teesside following his £1.5 million arrival from Lausanne last summer, has been lined up for a return to Switzerland, with Young Boys agreeing a £1m deal.