MIDDLESBROUGH have stepped up their bid to land Cameroon World Cup star Geremi from Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Negotiations are said to be at an advanced stage and the 23-year-old right-back is expected to sign on loan until the end of the forthcoming season.

Geremi, a former Chelsea target, played in all of his country's World Cup matches in Japan and South Korea and is valued at over £7m.

And Boro club spokesman Dave Allan told the club's official website: "We're interested in bringing Geremi to Middlesbrough.

"We've held initial talks with his club, Real Madrid, and hope to speak to the player in the near future.

"It's too early to say whether he will be joining us, however."

Real Madrid's general director Jorge Valdano fully expects the pacy defender to complete a move to the Riverside. Geremi is one of seven players Voldano is trying to offload before the start of the new season.

"Geremi is waiting to resolve some contractual issues and pass the medical tests," said Valdano.

"The negotiations with the English team are very advanced and the agreement between clubs is complete."

Meanwhile, Boro have taken former Manchester United winger Jesper Blomqvist on trial.

The 28-year-old, who left Old Trafford midway through last season to join Everton, is available on a free after being shown the door at Goodison Park.

Blomqvist and McClaren know each other well from their days at United when the latter was assistant manager.

But the Swedish international has been plagued by injury since helping the Red Devils to Champions League success in 1999, and his fitness has been in some doubt.

And Boro number two, Bill Beswick, admitted yesterday: "The player is training with us until the end of the week. We are just having a look at him."

But Blomqvist, who signed for United in July 1998, is hoping to convince the Riverside outfit that he is still capable of terrorising Premiership defences after overcoming a serious knee injury.

The winger said: "I will be staying in Middlesbrough for a few days and practice with the club, then we will see what happens.

"If it feels good, we will be talking about it at the end of the week."

* Top Boro target Juninho is being urged by Atletico Madrid president Jesus Gil to change his demands if he wants to stay with the Spanish club.

Gil said: "If Juninho does not want to change from the Spanish Liga, he knows what the conditions are here.

"We are not going to give him everything he wants and he cannot expect to have it all his own way."

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