Geremi faces block on move to Boro

Middlesbrough have enquired about the availability of Geremi, but there is little likelihood of a move this month as the Teessiders want to take the Chelsea midfielder initially on loan.

Middlesbrough have enquired about the availability of Geremi, but there is little likelihood of a move this month as the Teessiders want to take the Chelsea midfielder initially on loan.

Chelsea would agree to a sale if one were pushed through immediately, but it is unlikely that Middlesbrough could match Geremi's personal terms, even though the Cameroonian has made clear that he would welcome the move.

The 26-year-old has become the first Chelsea player to voice his disquiet under Jose Mourinho, having started just four games.

Geremiis aware of Middlesbrough's interest and said: "I am not satisfied because I am not playing - Mourinho is not giving me opportunities and I don't like to be on the bench. I would prefer to leave if they will give me a transfer, but not to any team. The option of Middlesbrough is excellent, because they are a high-level club and I have already played there. I would go there happily if they made me a good offer."

Geremi was on loan at the Riverside, from Real Madrid, before his £6.9m move to Chelsea in the first flush of Roman Abramovich's riches in 2003. He has clearly become surplus to requirements under Mourinho but will not be allowed to leave until Chelsea recoup much of their investment.

The club are also keen not to disrupt their squad at such a sensitive time, especially with Scott Parker injured and one new player, Jiri Jarosik, already on board, although Mourinho will not take kindly to Geremi's outburst.

The player is likely, however, to leave this summer especially as Chelsea have lined up a number of midfielders, including the 20-year-old Argentinian Javier Mascherano.

Steve Clarke, Chelsea's assistant manager, said yesterday: "Players who are not involved as much as other players can get a bit frustrated. Geremi played on Saturday, so maybe his timing wasn't the best, but we don't even know if he said those things. We want to keep everybody that we have got now."

That applies to the defender Robert Huth, who has been linked with a move to Bayern Munich, although he is also likely to go this summer.