MIDDLESBROUGH have turned their attention to other targets after being forced to abandon their raid on Chelsea for Geremi.

Despite the Cameroon international's willingness to head to Teesside for a second spell - after a successful 2002-03 season on loan from Real Madrid - the Blues have told Middlesbrough on three separate occasions that the player is going nowhere.

Boro boss Steve McClaren has already told chief executive Keith Lamb to work on other possibilities as he bids to find the right man to fill voids left by injured midfielders Gaizka Mendieta and George Boateng.

And he was given the green light to up his interest in Fulham's Steed Malbranque yesterday when Newcastle target, Luis Boa Morte, pledged his future to the Londoners by signing a new three-and-a-half year deal.

Malbranque has long been admired by McClaren and the Boa Morte deal means it is now likely the Frenchman will leave Craven Cottage during the January transfer window.

Middlesbrough's chances of acquiring the attacking midfielder could hinge on whether Fulham reduce their £6m asking price for a player rated at £10m last season when Manchester United inquired.

Aston Villa and Southampton are also in the hunt for Malbranque and Fulham boss Chris Coleman has recently admitted that either the former Lyon midfielder or Boa Morte would be sold.

It has all become a little frantic for McClaren after he failed in his bid to land Geremi.

The 26-year-old has only been on the fringes of Chelsea's rise to the top of the Premiership this season and was quoted earlier in the week as wanting to come back to the Riverside Stadium.

But McClaren, also rumoured to be interested in Tottenham's Simon Davies and Roma's Olivier Dacourt, said: "We approached Chelsea in December, again at the start of January and again last week. But it's not to be.

"Chelsea are not letting any of the players go so we have to move on."

As well as seeking at least one new midfielder, McClaren continues to search for a new left-back to compete with Franck Queudrue for a first team place.

Newcastle's contract rebel Olivier Bernard is among those linked with the Teessiders, and Queudrue claims he would welcome a new face battling for his starting role.

"It's good competition and it's good for the team because you have to fight for your place. It's better to know that it's hard to keep your place in the team and I will be fighting to keep it," said Queudrue.

"It's important to get a bigger squad, a tougher squad. I know they need cover for me but because they are bringing in a left back that doesn't mean I will go. They are doing something good at this club and I want to stay."

Middlesbrough are also in the hunt for a new goalkeeper with Shakhtar Donetsk's Stipe Pletikosa the latest to be linked with a move to the Riverside.

Pletikosa's agent Milan Martinovic last night claimed: "I can tell you there are two English clubs after Stipe.

"He has been West Brom's wish for some time now but there's also interest from Middlesbrough. Pletikosa would be an ideal option for Middlebsrough and their goalkeeping coach Paul Barron is a big fan."

It came after Schwarzer dismissed the suggestion that he has turned down a contract offer worth £30,000 a week. He said: "I am astounded at reports. It is a fact that I have been offered a three-year deal, this is the only truth in the statement.

"I would like to make it absolutely clear that there has been no offer since last November. The only offer I have been made does not represent anything near the reported £30,000-a-week."

Meanwhile, Stuart Parnaby and Malcolm Christie are due back in training next week after suffering injury set-backs in the midweek reserve fixture with Everton.

* Boro have confirmed their UEFA Cup away tie with Grazer AK will remain on February 17.

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