Big MO
12-07-03, 08:28 AM
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Real Madrid have agreed to sell Cameroon midfielder Geremi to Chelsea for £6.9m.
Geremi, who spent last season on loan at Middlesbrough, looks set to become the first player to sign for the west London club under the ownership of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.
Madrid are willing to sell Geremi as they have a plethora of midfielders following the arrival of England captain David Beckham at the Bernabeu.
Geremi was arguably Boro's best player last season, chipping in with a number of important goals during an impressive loan spell on Teesside.
Barry Silkman, Geremi's English representative, is hopeful the deal will be completed over the weekend.
He said: "A fee of 10 million euros has been agreed and terms will be finalised sooner or later - hopefully in the next 24 to 48 hours.
"For him it's a great opportunity. At Real, maybe, he wouldn't be a regular. He enjoyed his time at Middlesbrough but Chelsea are the most up-and-coming club at the moment and that's the one he's chosen to go to.
"He's 24 and has probably got the best seven or eight years in front of him.
"He was outstanding at Middlesbrough for most of the season and is a proven Premiership player. I believe Chelsea have got a terrific deal.
"It looks like Chelsea are going to buy some quality players."
Chelsea have been linked with several top stars since the arrival of Abramovich at Stamford Bridge.
Juventus claimed to have turned down an approach for Edgar Davids on Thursday while Inter Milan stressed that they had rejected a bid for Christian Vieri.
However, Silkman does not believe the arrival of the Russian and his millions will mean Chelsea will pay over the odds for players in the future.
He added: "Chelsea won't spend more than they believe a player is worth.
"Because clubs believe Roman Abramovich is ready to splash out a few quid, clubs are asking extortionate money for players - but he won't pay it."
Real Madrid have agreed to sell Cameroon midfielder Geremi to Chelsea for £6.9m.
Geremi, who spent last season on loan at Middlesbrough, looks set to become the first player to sign for the west London club under the ownership of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.
Madrid are willing to sell Geremi as they have a plethora of midfielders following the arrival of England captain David Beckham at the Bernabeu.
Geremi was arguably Boro's best player last season, chipping in with a number of important goals during an impressive loan spell on Teesside.
Barry Silkman, Geremi's English representative, is hopeful the deal will be completed over the weekend.
He said: "A fee of 10 million euros has been agreed and terms will be finalised sooner or later - hopefully in the next 24 to 48 hours.
"For him it's a great opportunity. At Real, maybe, he wouldn't be a regular. He enjoyed his time at Middlesbrough but Chelsea are the most up-and-coming club at the moment and that's the one he's chosen to go to.
"He's 24 and has probably got the best seven or eight years in front of him.
"He was outstanding at Middlesbrough for most of the season and is a proven Premiership player. I believe Chelsea have got a terrific deal.
"It looks like Chelsea are going to buy some quality players."
Chelsea have been linked with several top stars since the arrival of Abramovich at Stamford Bridge.
Juventus claimed to have turned down an approach for Edgar Davids on Thursday while Inter Milan stressed that they had rejected a bid for Christian Vieri.
However, Silkman does not believe the arrival of the Russian and his millions will mean Chelsea will pay over the odds for players in the future.
He added: "Chelsea won't spend more than they believe a player is worth.
"Because clubs believe Roman Abramovich is ready to splash out a few quid, clubs are asking extortionate money for players - but he won't pay it."