Town target Angelos Charisteas has reiterated his desire to stay with Nuremberg, but says that if he does leave the relegated German club, it will be to move to a side based in another country.
Yesterday, Charisteas announced that he wanted to remain with Nuremberg, a decision which may not have been entirely what his club's management were wanting to hear, given that they are only halfway to raising a reported target of €10 million via summer transfers.
Charisteas has today added to that statement, hinting that there may be some wriggle room in his decision to stay: "I am very content here. My situation is, however, still open. If I leave Nuremberg, then I will not remain in Germany."
The Greek international had previously been expected to join another German side if he left Nuremberg.
Town chief executive Derek Bowden revealed last week that the Blues were close to agreeing a fee with Nuremberg â€" believed to be around €3.5 million or £2.7 million â€" and had been given permission to begin talks with the 28-year-old. Nuremberg's sporting director Martin Bader said at the weekend that Spanish and Portuguese sides are also showing interest in Charisteas.
German reports today say Charisteas will talk with his club's management regarding his future during a pre-season trip to Austria which begins today. Previously Nuremberg bosses have said that they are planning for 2008/09 without Charisteas and his high wages and have even lined up a replacement in Christian Eigler from Arminia Bielefeld.
Meanwhile, former Blue Marcus Bent has completed his move from Charlton to Birmingham for a fee in excess of £1 million. Bent has signed a three-year deal at St Andrew's.
Elsewhere, reported Town target Péter Halmosi has joined Hull City for an undisclosed fee along with one-time Blues trialist Tony Warner, who has signed from Fulham on a free transfer.