Jeremie Aliadiere caught up in transfer tug-of-war

Mar 21 2010 by Steve Brown, Sunday Sun

JEREMIE ALIADIERE is facing a summer at the centre of a transfer tug-of-war between Birmingham City, Everton, Fulham and Stoke City.

The Middlesbrough striker is out of contract at the end of the season and though his current deal contains the option of a further 12 months, Gordon Strachan has opted against extending the agreement.

Though disappointed, the 26-year-old vowed to earn a new contract at the Riverside, only to break a toe in the 1-0 defeat to Cardiff City earlier this month.

That looks like ruling the Frenchman out for up to six weeks and he seems unlikely to figure again this season.

And while Aliadiere has struggled to make an impression on Teesside, his stock remains high – especially as a free agent – among Premier League clubs after glimpses of early promise during his time at Arsenal.

Boro blocked a loan move to Fulham at the end of last August, and the Cottagers are known to remain keen on the pacy forward.

But the Sunday Sun understands Roy Hodgson could face stiff competition for Aliadiere’s signature – with Birmingham, Everton and Stoke all interested.

The Teessiders have also been linked this week with Hamilton’s Czech Under-21 international keeper Tomas Cerny and Birmingham’s 36-year-old ex-Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips.

Meanwhile, Boro-born former referee Jeff Winter insists the club do NOT deserve to reach the Championship play-offs – and believes the side’s defenders must improve quickly or face the axe.

“In reality, Boro are just as good or bad as many other sides and the inconsistency at both ends of the field means that probably we just don’t deserve the chance of a Wembley play-off,” said Winter.

“We hear that there is inexperience in the defence but most of the players that have featured there have in excess of 100 games behind them, the majority in the Premier League.

“Some have got to learn rather quickly or, despite how popular they are with supporters, they are likely to be out the door as Gordon Strachan adds numbers and quality to his squad.”