Christian Ziege was last night officially told he can go after Middlesbrough abandoned the fight to keep him at the Riverside.

And the German broke his silence over the saga to admit he always wanted to go: "It's been a war of nerves but now I'm happy."

Ziege was given permission to talk to Liverpool after Boro's legal attempt to block the move failed.

But the 28-year-old wing-back may still not end up at Anfield after other clubs, alerted by Boro, entered the bidding.

Liverpool have offered £5.5m after taking advantage of a clause in Ziege's contract but Boro are demanding more - and could get it from Spanish clubs.

Chelsea and Valencia were both being linked with an approach last night and Ziege confirmed he may not end up at Anfield.

"As well as Liverpool, there are two other clubs interested in talking to me. I've got to make some big decisions over the next few days," he said.

And he acknowledged he had made the decision to quit Boro before Euro 2000, even though the club consistently claimed he wanted to stay.

"I knew Liverpool had made an inquiry but I had to keep quiet because Middlesbrough had to give me permission to talk to them," he confirmed.

"This has now been granted, due to my advisors and my family. It's been a war of nerves but I'm happy about it now.

"I don't understand why there was such a delay over this but now it is settled I have to decide what to do."

One decision he has definitely made is to walk out on the remaining three years of his £40,000-a-week Boro contract, another slap in the face for the club from a high-profile performer following the departures of Fabrizio Ravanelli, Juninho, Emerson and Paul Merson.

All Boro can hope to do now is sell him for a price that covers the £4m handed to Inter Milan 12 months ago and the £2m in wages paid since.

Manager Bryan Robson was such an admirer that he said publicly at the end of last season his aim was to buy 'another four Christian Zieges' but he will now be hoping that is not the case after signing six players since then.

There will be another departure from Boro, too - as revealed in EchoSPORT in April.

Striker Alun Armstrong, faced with competition from six other front men, wants to quit the Riverside.

"I just want to play first-team football and that will be difficult here," he said.

Armstrong was a target for Huddersfield but they are short of cash and may not to able to afford the £1m fee.

Armstrong arrived for £1.5m from Stockport and his goals shot Boro to promotion, but he struggled with serious injury for two years, needing three operations.

An angry Bryan Robson last night fined Hamilton Ricard for being sent off in the 1-0 defeat by Spanish part-timers Linense.

Ricard, who is facing a three-match ban after a red card for an elbow incident, is likely to lose £20,000.

Boro were beaten 1-0 by the third division side and Robson stormed: "The players went into the game slack and Hamilton showed no discipline and will be fined.

"It's very disappointing. You make plans in pre-season and when someone gets suspended like this you have to change them."

Boro meet Real Madrid tomorrow and Robson added: "It was a poor performance and there will be a lot of changes. We've got plenty to do over the next week."

Boro target Steve McManaman was being linked with a £9m switch to Manchester United from Real Madrid last night.

Boro have agreed the same fee with the Spanish giants but the England winger does not want to move to Teesside.

But Boro were still pursuing Aston Villa centre-back Ugo Ehiogu, a long-term target