Boro look to sign international superstar

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Premiership strugglers Middlesbrough were on Friday locked in negotiations with Bradford striker Dean Windass as they looked to add bite to their fight against relegation.

The 31-year-old has been told he can leave the doomed Bantams as chairman Geoffrey Richmond slashes the wage bill ahead of what seems like a certain drop to Division One, and Boro who have been trailing the Hull-born front man for several months, have stepped in.

It is understood that the fee could eventually amount to £1million if Windass agrees to the move.

Boro confirmed that talks are ongoing, but we remaining tight-lipped on how far they had progressed on the eve of tomorrow's vital Premiership clash with Charlton.

"We are in negotiations and we hope to make progress on that front today," said coach Terry Venables.

The approach came after the Teessiders switched their attention to Valley Parade from Barcelona, where manager Bryan Robson headed earlier this week to try to capture Spanish international Dani.

Boro have declined to comment in any detail on that trip, but the player himself revealed that there was little chance of him making a £7million move to the Riverside Stadium.

"I know that to find a better club than Barcelona is impossible," he said. "The only time I would leave is if the club wanted me to go.

"In any case, I have four years left on my contract and I want to fulfil that.

"It's good when you know people are interested, but I'm happy with the club and I want to be an important player with them."

Windass may not carry the same clout as Dani, but the situation in which Boro find themselves could well be better suited to his robust approach to the game.

He began his professional career at Hull City and arrived at Bradford in March 1999 via Aberdeen and Oxford United.

His industry and passion, as well as the occasional goal, played a major part in City's remarkable fight for top flight survival last season, and although they appear unlikely to do the same this time around, Boro will hope he can do the same job for them.

Windass would become the latest high profile name to leave Valley Parade after Dan Petrescu, Stan Collymore and Peter Atherton.

-- Anonymous, March 02, 2001

Answers

And an ex player of ours is wanted in Stab City ....

St Mirren manager Tom Hendrie has moved for out-of-favour West Ham striker Paul Kitson to help guarantee their Premier League survival.

Hendrie has decided not to bring in more trialists and instead gone for the former Newcastle United, Derby County and Leicester star on a three-month loan.

He believes that the 30-year-old would give his side a massive lift - but although West Ham have agreed to the move, convincing Kitson could prove the stumbling block.

Hendrie said: "We keep trying to bring somebody in, but we don't need a trialist or other players who have potential and don't exactly fulfil it.

"What we need now is somebody with a proven pedigree and a top footballing background and CV that would tend to suggest he could perform for St Mirren.

"Paul Kitson very much fits that bill and would perform at this level and we have been in touch with his agent and West Ham.

"But the problem lies with the player because he isn't the sort of player who likes to go on loan - he'd rather secure a permanent move.

"We are still in discussions with the player and that's where the problem lies, but we have agreed a three-month loan with the club.

"I very much want him because he's got a good pedigree and comes with a proven track record.

"He's partnered John Hartson at West Ham in England and kept them in the English Premier League and if he can do that in England he can do the same job here for St Mirren in Scotland."

The bottom-of-the table Paisley outfit are facing the most important match of the season on Saturday when they travel to fellow strugglers Dundee United which could decide who slips into the First Division.

-- Anonymous, March 02, 2001


I am thinking the headline should be "Boro grab a piece of Ass"

-- Anonymous, March 02, 2001

Boro and Windass - they deserve each other: truly a marriage made in Hebburn.

I just wonder how many games Paul Kitson has played over say the last six seasons and how much money he has earned from his various Clubs - must be almost on a par with 'Yin, and nowhere near as good.

-- Anonymous, March 02, 2001


As somebody recently asked, how do you define a "successful footballer"? Sure beats working doon the pit (I guess).

-- Anonymous, March 02, 2001

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