Geremi's the man for Claudio at last

14 April 2012

However long it takes Geremi to dot the i's and cross the appropriate t's on his contract, Claudio Ranieri believes the Cameroon midfielderis turning up 12 months too late.

Chelsea made their first approach to Real Madrid for the player last summer and were close to securing their man when the deal fell through, despite Chelsea initially agreeing a £7.7 million fee. Most observers assumed that they had difficulty raising the money.

But that was before anyone at Stamford Bridge had heard of Roman Abramovich. Now it is a different ball game.

Bolstered by the Russian's money, Chelsea manager Ranieri seems close to securing the services of a player who he admired from a distance in a Middlesbrough shirt last season. The Riverside club got their chance to take Geremi on loan within days of his proposed move to Stamford Bridge falling through.

"Real Madrid rang out of the blue and asked if I wanted him for a year," said Boro boss Steve McClaren. "It was a fantastic opportunity and I could hardly believe my luck. The fans took to him straight away and he clearly liked it.

"I was surprised to get him and I would have been crackers not to want to keep him." Middlesbrough tried. Two months ago their chief-executive Keith Lamb flew to Madrid hoping to start negotiations which would lead to Geremi moving permanently to them on a four-year deal.

Within minutes of the start of the meeting, major differences between the two clubs became evident. Lamb's initial offer of £3m prompted an abrupt 'no' in reply, with the Real delegation declaring the meeting over and walking out.

They were not happy because, when Geremi's loan was arranged, Boro agreed to pay just over £9m if they wanted him permanently. Now they were suggesting £3m, partly because the market had changed dramatically, but Real regarded it as an insult - and negotiations never re-started.

McClaren always knew there was stiff competition for the free-kick specialist. Liverpool, Manchester City are Manchester United were interested at one stage and McClaren revealed: "Geremi is a very good player, everyone can see that, which is why he's bound to attract attention.

"We made every effort to bring him to Middlesbrough permanently. But we need players within our budget."

McClaren first saw Geremi just before the World Cup last year when he scored from a free-kick in a friendly against England. Then 23, the midfielder had an Olympic gold medal, was an African Nations Cup winner and a member of Real's Champions League-winning squad.

He was a winner with over 50 caps for his country. But what really endeared him to Middlesbrough was his personality: he is a smiler, a man with a sunny disposition who speaks good English - as well as four other languages.

He is also a player who can marshall many positions, from right-back to centrehalf, although he favours right midfield.

"Geremi had a very positive effect," said McClaren. "He is a great character who was well liked by his team-mates."

The man whose full name is Ndjitap Sorele Fotso Geremi said: "I enjoyed it in the Premiership and would have signed for Middlesbrough at one stage. I spoke to Steve McClaren about it at the end of the season. I enjoyed my time there but things have changed a lot since then."

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