The 28-year-old managed only 14 starts in last season's ill-fated Premier League campaign, and is looking for a much better return in the Championship amid suggestions he is being targeted by a series of clubs in his native Argentina.

Arca told the Northern Echo: "I have another two years left on my contract and I want to spend them at Middlesbrough. I am still fully committed to being a Middlesbrough player.

"I have explained to the manager and people in the club that I do not want to leave Middlesbrough, but I have also told them that I want to play. As long as I get the chance to play, I want to stay here.

"But the important thing is I play. I don't want to be sitting on the bench in the Championship. Last season was a bit in and out for me and I never really got a settled run in the team.

"If things do not go well, we will have to see what happens. But at the moment, I want to stay here and play."