Bayern Munich have opened the door for Middlesbrough target Owen Hargreaves to quit the German club in January.

Boro are believed to be among a host of Premiership clubs tracking the versatile England international, who has found it difficult to command a regular first-team place with the German giants.

Despite Bayern coach Ottmar Hitzfeld wanting Hargreaves to remain a squad player, he did admit he cannot prevent the Canadian-born star seeking a move to the Premiership.

Hargreaves, whose contract with the Bundesliga club is due to expire in June 2004, recently revealed that he could be tempted by a move to Britain.

The midfielder has been a regular in England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson's squads since first breaking into the side prior to last summer's World Cup.

Hitzfeld said: "If he really wants to go and play in England, we cannot change that.

"At the moment he should be happy when he plays.

"I should say one thing though, people should not expect too much of Owen."

Meanwhile, Croatian side Hadjuk Split have confirmed they plan to sign Alen Boksic when his contract at the Riverside expires next year.

Boksic has a stake in Hadjuk, and a return to the club where he started his career is likely to be a major draw for the Croatain international.

Boksic has been beset by injuries since arriving on Teesside in the summer of 2000, and fans have only glimpsed the true talents of the former Lazio and Juventus striker.

Igor Stimac, who played in the Premiership with Derby County, is now a director at Hadjuk and said: "We would like to play in the Champions' League next season.

"If we want to achieve this goal we must win the Croatian championship this season and if we do that, then I will buy Alen Boksic.

"His contract with Middlesbrough will be over and I was talking with Boksic some time ago - he told me he would be happy to return to Split."

* Sheffield United have signed out-of-favour Middlesbrough striker Dean Windass on a month's loan and he will be in the squad to face Reading on Saturday.

The 33-year-old has played only once for Boro's first team this season, in the Worthington Cup second-round victory over Brentford last month.