The agent of Mark Schwarzer, the Middlesbrough goalkeeper, has claimed that a summer switch to Celtic is alive and kicking.
Schwarzer, 35, is out of contract at the end of this campaign and a deal being brokered between the Australian and the club he has spent eleven years with, now seems unlikely.
In the stereotypical transfer merry-go-round, Schwarzer’s Scotland switch will depend largely on the movements of current Buoys No.1 Artur Boruc.
Despite Boruc recently putting pen to paper on a new three-year contract with the Celts, reports are intensifing which suggest AC Milan are about to make a staggering £10m bid.
To further douse petrol on the flames, Schwarzer’s agent has publicly claimed that his client could soon be making a move north of the border.
Shep Messing, who represents the goalkeeper, has said, ‘There is substance to reports of a Celtic interest but there still a number of if’s and but’s to be resolved.’
The imminent exit of Schwarzer will force Gareth Southgate, the Middlesbrough manager, into a frantic summer hunt for a new No.1. Paul Robinson, of Tottenham Hotspur, tops the list of wanted targets.
The former England first-choice stopper has fallen out-of-favour with Spurs head coach Juande Ramos, who is certain to replace him when the summer window opens.
Recent reports suggested the former Leeds United ‘keeper could even be available for a cut-price £2m, although a bidding war between rival Barclays’ Premier League clubs would be sure to drive that price much higher.
Schwarzer, speaking at the weekend, said, ‘All my options are open and I’m excited about the future.’
‘Will I stay in Britain? Who knows, I’m up for anything.’
‘Right now, all the talk of Italy, Scotland or elsewhere is just speculation. I’m in good physical shape. I don’t think my age is a deterrent for clubs. If anything these days, clubs seem to be leaning towards older ‘keepers,’ he added.
However, any hope that the former Bradford City goalkeeper could extend his stay on Teesside have been all but extinguished by the hierarchy and manager at the club.
*****
Win a £10 gift voucher for the Middlesbrough Store with Vital Boro. Notch up enough site points to top the ‘Members’ League’ and become the site’s Chief Poster.
Click here for more details
Click here to visit the forum
Share this article
Looks like Schwarz is finally off to pastures new then.
Agents aren’t always right, they normally just tray and hurry the current club or interested parties into making a decison. But hopefully this one is spot on and he is offski.