Posted by DARRYL BROADFOOT and MARK WILSON on
RANGERS last night completed the re-signing of Sotirios Kyrgiakos as Julius Aghahowa, the Nigerian internationalist, emerged as a late option to solve Rangers' hunt for a striker to partner Dado Prso.
RANGERS last night completed the re-signing of Sotirios Kyrgiakos as Julius Aghahowa, the Nigerian internationalist, emerged as a late option to solve Rangers' hunt for a striker to partner Dado Prso.
In another intriguing development, Middlesbrough rekindled their interest in Peter Løvenkrands after receiving news that their England international winger, Stewart Downing, could be out for up to six months with a recurrence of a knee injury.
The clubs have agreed a fee of around £500,000 and Løvenkrands' agent, Ivan Benes, was in Teesside last night attempting to conclude personal terms after securing Zurab Khizanishvili's year-long loan to Blackburn Rovers earlier in the day.
Steve McClaren, the Middlesbrough manager, has delayed joining the England squad to tend to the emergency situation and identified Løvenkrands as a more easily obtainable and financially viable target after being frustrated in his attempts to sign Roudolphe Douala, from Sporting Lisbon, and the Brazilian winger, Fabio Rochemback.
Kyrgiakos has agreed to an initial one-year deal from which he will earn around £800,000 comprising a basic salary plus appearance-based bonuses. His registration was lodged with the Scottish Football Association last night and he left Glasgow to join his international team-mates ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan.
Aghahowa, the 23-year-old who currently plays for Shakhtar Donetsk in Ukraine, is reported to be the subject of an enquiry from the Ibrox club, who would seek to take him on loan for the season before deciding on a permanent move.
"I've been made aware by my club that a bid has been made by Glasgow Rangers," said Aghahowa, who scored twice against Scotland in a friendly in 2002. "I'm honoured, as Rangers are one of the biggest clubs in Britain. My agent has been working hard to get me a move to Britain and, if a transfer does materialise, I'd be very happy to come."
Saif Rubie, Aghahowa's agent, said: "We have to wait for agreement between both clubs before we can think about concluding a deal. I can't say any more than that at this stage."
Maurice Ross was also close to joining the Ibrox exodus last night. He is expected to travel to London today to discuss terms with Millwall and is expected to sign a six-month loan deal at the New Den despite late interest from Paul Sturrock at Sheffield Wednesday.
Blackburn have been given first option on signing Khizanishvili on a permanent deal next summer after securing his services on loan.
The 23-year-old trained with his new team-mates yesterday after being given special dispensation by the Georgian FA to report later in the week for Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Ukraine in Tblisi.
Blackburn will inherit his £10,000-per-week wages, which, added to the £13,000 saved on terminating Dragan Mladenovic's remaining three years and loaning Ross and Allan McGregor, who joined Dunfermline on Monday, enabled the champions to tie-up Kyrgiakos and pursue their interest in Aghahowa.
If they can sell Løvenkrands, Rangers will have saved around £50,000-per-week in wages.
Rangers did not follow up their interest yesterday in Fabrice Pancrate, the Paris-Saint Germain winger offered on a free year-long loan. However, Rangers could still make a late bid for the 25-year-old before tonight's deadline. Bolton Wanderers made a late effort to sign the Frenchman yesterday but a proposed move collapsed as the player prepared to undergo a medical.
As yet, Rangers have been unable to relocate Michael Ball. The full back appears intent on seeing out the remaining 10 months of his contract. Steve Bruce, the Birmingham City manager, yesterday confirmed that Ball "was an option we are considering" but The Herald understands his £24,000-per-week wages are a major stumbling block.