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Boro duo poised for exit
MIDDLESBROUGH are willing to run down the clock towards a deadline that would trigger a release clause enabling Fabio Rochemback to end his three-year stay on Teesside.
And, with just three matches remaining, manager Gareth Southgate has admitted the probability of first-choice goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer leaving at the end of his contract has also increased.
The decision to retain Rochemback's services lies very much in the hands of Southgate, although the midfielder will be free to leave if an option to extend his contract by a further two years is not taken within the next fortnight.
Sporting Lisbon remain front runners in the chase for his signature, but know their attempts to resign him for a second spell rest on whether he is prepared to take a pay cut.
Sporting, where he impressed during a loan spell from Barcelona, are only able to pay a maximum weekly wage of around £23,000-a-week.
That is considerably less than his existing terms at Middlesbrough, while the Portuguese giants would hope to give him a handsome signing on fee given how he would be available for nothing.
Southgate insists he has not made up his mind on whether to extend the South American's stay, with Vasco de Gama and Gremio also interested in taking him back to his Brazilian homeland.
"Until we know what position we are in it is impossible to make any decision," said Southgate, referring to Middlesbrough's ongoing battle against relegation ahead of crucial trip to Sunderland tomorrow.
"It doesn't surprise me that there are clubs in Portugal interested because he was very popular at Sporting. Whether they approach us as a club I am not sure because there would not be a fee involved.
"In the next couple of weeks it will be clearer, there is a deadline.
"I try to get involved in contracts as little as possible but I'm aware there is an option and that the deadline is not until May.
"I just feel that at the moment no matter which way you want a decision to go, negotiations and conversations can be detrimental when there are important games to play.
"I strongly believe we can win at Sunderland on Saturday and then we can work on putting the whole thing to bed."
Victory on Wearside would safeguard Middlesbrough's place among the elite for a further year, when Southgate will then look to work on contractual matters.
While Rochemback's situation is pressing, his departure would not be a shock - every transfer window in his time at the Riverside has been met with speculation surrounding his future.
The fact he has not started a game since the FA Cup debacle against Cardiff City on March 9, illustrates that a dip in form could have arrived at the wrong time.
If he does leave, he won't to be the only departure with Schwarzer's place among Southgate's squad looking more and more precarious.
The Australian, back in training after a back problem that kept him out of last Saturday's defeat to Bolton, is also out of contract soon.
An offer of a one-year contract extension remains from last summer, but his demands of a two-year contract have led to him being contacted by numerous European clubs.
Bayern Munich, Fiorentina and Juventus are all interested in taking him abroad and Southgate accepts their emergence could lead to Schwarzer's departure.
"I spoke to Mark about this at the beginning of the season when we offered a year extension and he doesn't want to do that," said Southgate. "Once you get past January and you're in the last year of your contract you can speak to anyone across Europe and the goalposts move.
"Messy contract negotiations are never straight forward and during a season they can unsettle people and I need everything on the training ground settled.
"The situation is, with him being in the last six months, clubs have approached him from abroad.
"I expected that to happen and I have no issue with that at all. Mark has to do what is right for him."
If Schwarzer goes, Southgate is confident both Ross Turnbull - struggling with a slight injury ahead of tomorrow's meeting - and Brad Jones are capable replacements, although he also has contingency plans.
One of those is Paul Robinson. Tottenham are willing to listen to offers for the England goalkeeper, with the former Leeds man looking for a move north. Aston Villa are also monitoring the situation, but Boro are in a strong position given how Robinson harbours hopes of returning closer to York.
Southgate, meanwhile, confirmed that Gaizka Mendieta will be leaving Middlesbrough in the next few weeks, with the United States his preferred destination.
10:39am Friday 25th April 2008
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