Middlesbrough boss confident of deal for Real Madrid's Geremi

Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren has been encouraged after the latest round of talks with Real Madrid over midfielder Geremi.

The Evening Gazette says McClaren knows it could still be sometime before a deal can be struck, but the Boro manager is quietly confident that the Cameroon international will start the new season on Teesside.

"We have never given up on Geremi and we still won't," McClaren told BBC Sport Online today.

"He had a terrific season for us and I have always stated that we would love to bring him back here for another year or on a longer contract if possible.

"The price is still the main stumbling block. Unfortunately we couldn't agree beforehand and we still can't.

"Negotiations have really broken down but they may be resurrected," added McClaren.