Monday 30 January 2017 15:43, UK
Aitor Karanka has taken a swipe at Middlesbrough, saying they have failed to land the transfer targets he identified to the board six weeks ago.
Karanka, who was almost monosyllabic at times during his lunchtime news conference, was asked by Sky Sports News HQ if he expected want-away winger Gaston Ramirez to be here beyond the transfer deadline and replied: "I don't care".
The Spaniard, who has failed in moves for Robert Snodgrass, Bojan and Jesé Rodriguez over the weekend, then insisted Ramirez will remain a Middlesbrough player "on February 1, 100 per cent."
Uruguayan Ramirez handed in a transfer request last week as Middlesbrough rejected an official approach from Leicester City.
Karanka had hoped to land at least one winger in addition to Ramirez staying at the club.
But options have reduced significantly after the weekend's triple knock-back, and even an inquiry to Fulham for midfielder Tom Cairney was issued with a "not for sale" response, we understand.
Karanka said: "I don't know anything about new players. I don't want to know. We had the first meeting (about transfer targets) a month and a half ago and everyone knew the targets."
Karanka was asked the reason why they weren't able to convince Snodgrass, Jesé or Bojan to come to the club and he said "It's not a question for me. I don't know. I tried my best.
"The aim was to improve the club and we haven't. Have we got enough to stay up? I'll try my best."
Middlesbrough have signed Patrick Bamford and Rudy Gestede this month for a combined outlay of £12m.
David Nugent has been sold to Derby County, and Jordan Rhodes is expected to join either Sheffield Wednesday or Aston Villa before Tuesday's 11pm deadline.
Karanka - the transfer-talk transcript:
Question: Has it been a difficult weekend with your targets moving elsewhere?
Answer: It's not been a difficult weekend for me, I don't know anything about new players. I don't want to know.
Q: Do you have to just switch yourself off from everything going on in the background?
A: Yes because we had the first meeting (about transfer targets) a month and a half ago and everyone knew the targets. Now we have two days to go and we have a massive game tomorrow that I need to concentrate on.
Q: Why were you not able to attract Snodgrass, Jesé to come?"
A: It's not a question for me. I don't know. I tried my best. I am thinking about tomorrow's game.
Q: Have you spoken to Jesé since he's gone to Las Palmas?
A: No, I've been preparing tomorrow's game.
Q: Do you expect Jordan Rhodes to still be here?
A: I don't know and I don't want to know.
Q: Whether it's players coming in or going out?
A: The club knew my thoughts a month and a half ago. We will see what is happening when the window closes tomorrow.
Q: Have you had another Leicester bid for Ramirez?
A: No
