The framework of a deal has been agreed with Blackburn officials, and with further talks planned for the next 24 hours, it is hoped Brittain’s move to the Riverside could be completed before the end of the weekend.
Boro have agreed to pay around £3.5m for Brittain, having returned to the negotiating table after their initial offer was rejected earlier this week.
The Teessiders broke off talks with Blackburn when their first approach was turned down, resulting in Brittain, who recently entered the final year of his current deal at Ewood Park, rejoining Valerien Ismael’s first-team squad and taking part in a training camp in Portugal.
However, Boro continued to regard the 27-year-old as their number one target at right-back, and a new round of talks have resulted in significant positive progress. Derby County have also expressed an interest, but despite the Rams being led by former Blackburn boss John Eustace, Brittain’s preference was always for a move to Boro.
An attack-minded defender who is good on the ball, Brittain would appear to be ideally suited to the right wing-back role in the 3-4-3 formation Rob Edwards looks set to field at the start of the new season.
Brittain regularly played as a wing-back during his time with Barnsley prior to moving to Blackburn and should be comfortable slotting into the role on Teesside.
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He will strengthen a part of the pitch in which Boro have looked extremely short of options throughout pre-season.
The summer departure of Anfernee Dijksteel and Jonny Howson, which followed the January exit of Isaiah Jones, means Luke Ayling is currently the only viable right wing-back option within the current squad, and even he looks more comfortable playing as an orthodox right-back in a back four rather than as a wing-back who is expected to offer considerable energy and incision in attack.
Brittain would appear to be a much better fit for the role, with Boro’s recruitment growing increasingly confident that he will become the club’s third summer signing following the arrival of Alfie Jones from Hull City and Abdoulaye Kante from Troyes.
