Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka has revealed that he tried to sign Watford striker Troy Deeney when both clubs were in the Championship.
On Saturday they meet in the Premier League at the Riverside Stadium with Deeney having this week been linked to an England call-up.
The Hornets skipper scored 15 times last season and rejected a £30million approach from champions Leicester City during the summer.
Karanka, though, wanted to bring Deeney to Teesside two years ago, only to be told the player was too expensive at around £10m.