Boro wait on Juninho

MIDDLESBROUGH remain hopeful Brazilian World Cup star Juninho will accept their best offer of a deal to bring him back to Teesside.

Assistant manager Bill Beswick admitted the decision is now down to the midfielder after Boro presented him with an improved package earlier this week.

‘‘The ball is in Juninho’s court. He has his offer. We feel we have made him a good offer,” said Beswick.

‘‘Now it’s up to him. Juninho remembers his time here and I’m sure he has very fond memories of Teesside, so I’m very hopeful.

Beswick’s comments came on the day manager Steve McClaren returned from his summer break and as club officials opened talks with Real Madrid’s Cameroon international Geremi about a move to the Riverside Stadium.

The 23-year-old Olympic gold medallist and double Champions League winner and his representatives arrived on Teesside yesterday - although there are many hurdles to be cleared, including the matter of a work permit, before any deal could go through.

Boro have worked hard throughout the summer to strengthen their squad, although to date, only Franck Queudrue and record signing Massimo Maccarone have been added to the staff.

However, with Paul Ince and Robbie Mustoe departed, McClaren needs to move swiftly to rebuild his midfield.

The addition of both Juninho and Geremi would go a long way towards doing that, although the manager is known to be an admirer of Aston Villa’s want-away Dutchman George Boateng, and it is understood Boro have already had an initial bid rejected by the Midlanders.