GEREMI has flown back to Spain with his future still up in the air.

Middlesbrough are battling to secure a permanent deal for the Real Madrid midfielder, who was a major success during his season-long loan at the Riverside.

Deposed European champions Real are holding out for a £9m-plus fee after rejecting Boro's opening offer of £3m.

Geremi, 24, grabbed seven goals for Boro and is keen to return to Teesside on more concrete terms after admitting the season has been one of his best.

The Cameroon star said: "To arrive in England for the first time and play the way I have in the Premiership really pleases me. That was one of the best seasons of my career.

"English football is all about the Premiership, which is one of the best leagues in the world. I have enjoyed it, and I didn't expect to score so many goals.''

Meanwhile, it was confirmed yesterday that Kevin Keegan's Manchester City have claimed England's candidacy ahead of Boro for a UEFA Cup place via the Fair Play League.

City finished fifth in the Premiership's Fair Play League but were nominated because Manchester United, Newcastle, Chelsea and Liverpool had already qualified for Europe.

However, before City receive direct entry, England must remain top of the Europe-wide Fair Play table when it concludes next month.

The last standings put England ahead of Sweden, with the winning nation gaining an automatic place in the UEFA Cup qualifying round.

The first leg games are due to be played on Thursday, August 14 - two days before the start of the new season.

City are scheduled to move into their new 48,000 capacity City of Manchester Stadium on August 10, with a game against Barcelona.

But they have already asked the Premiership for their first domestic fixture to be away from home.

City finished the Premiership Fair Play League with an average of 8.20pts.

Champions Man. United led the way on 8.63, followed by Newcastle (8.41) with Chelsea and Liverpool joint third (8.25).

Points were awarded for red and yellow cards, positive play, respect towards opponents, respect towards referee and behaviour of club officials.

The last time City played in Europe was in the 1978-79 season.

Managed by Tony Book, they knocked out Twente Enschede, Standard Liege and AC Milan before falling to Borussia Monchengladbach in the fourth round, 4-2 on aggregate.

Read more about Middlesbrough here.