Nuremberg sporting director Martin Bader says he still expects Angelos Charisteas to leave his club over the summer, despite the player's declaration yesterday that he will remain with his current side. The 28-year-old was due to return to Nuremberg for pre-season training today.
Bader says he is aware that the Greek international is weighing up various options at present: "It is logical that Charisteas tries to leave a door open [by saying he wants to stay with Nuremberg], but I do know that he wants to play somewhere else and is currently considering offers."
Like any relegated side Nuremberg need to raise cash and Bader admits that they are some distance from their target: "It is unfavourable that we are far behind what we expected to raise from transfers. But the transfer deadline is on August 31st and before then many things can happen."
One report today claims that Nuremberg need to bring in €10 million this summer, but so far have only managed to raise half that. Charisteas is rated at around the €3.5 million mark (£2.7 million).
Last week, Town chief executive Derek Bowden revealed that the Blues were close to agreeing a fee with Nuremberg and hoped to speak to the player this week.
Greek and German reports have both claimed that Charisteas would prefer a move to a Bundesliga club with Eintract Frankfurt having been linked in May.
Over the weekend, Bader revealed that Spanish and Portuguese sides were also showing interest in the man who netted Greece's Euro 2004 winning goal.