Boro close in on double deal as Lita edges to QPR

Last updated : 31 January 2011 By Northern Echo

MIDDLESBROUGH are poised to complete a deadline-day double with the capture of Merouane Zemmama and Maximilian Haas, but Tony Mowbray could be looking for a third signing if QPR lodge an improved ?3m offer for striker Leroy Lita.Midfielder Zemmama and central defender Haas will both join until the end of the season, but it is Lita's position that could cause most confusion before the transfer window closes tonight. QPR officials discussed Lita's position with their counterparts at the Riverside at the end of last week, with ?2m mentioned as a possible valuation. Middlesbrough will not allow the 26-year-old to leave for that sum, as Mowbray would struggle to secure an adequate replacement before the transfer window closes. However, sources in London claim QPR boss Neil Warnock has identified Lita as the possible difference between a successful Championship promotion campaign and a drop into the play-off places between now and the end of the season, and an increased offer is anticipated as a result. Should QPR return with a bid of ?3m later today, Boro would almost certainly sell, and Mowbray would be forced into a rapid assessment of his options. It would not be essential to sign a replacement immediately, as the Teessiders could make a loan signing in ten days time. But with crucial matches against relegation rivals Scunthorpe and Crystal Palace looming large, and Scott McDonald not due to return from Asia Cup duties until the end of the week, Mowbray would prefer to recruit Lita's successor as quickly as possible. The same would apply if Kris Boyd was to leave the Riverside later today, but Rangers' capture of former Sunderland striker David Healy has all but ruled out a return to Ibrox for the Scotland international. Similarly, Boyd has rejected an opportunity to talk to a number of clubs from Russia and Turkey. Mowbray will be constantly kept abreast of the situation today, as he prepares to welcome Zemmama and Haas to Teesside. Zemmama, a Morocco-born 27-year-old, was excluded from the Hibernian squad that lost 3-0 at Dundee United yesterday. He is expected to undergo a medical this morning and be confirmed as a Middlesbrough player later in the day. He had entered the final six months of his contract at Easter Road, so Boro have effectively taken over the remainder of that deal. They will therefore be free to offer him a new contract beyond the end of the season, or allow him to leave as a free agent in the summer. Haas, a 25-year-old defender, will join on loan from German side Bayern Munich until the end of the season. He has spent the current campaign captaining Bayern's B team, and will add some depth to a defence that was deprived of the services of David Wheater when he joined Bolton Wanderers for ?3.5m earlier this month. Haas and Zemmama should both be available for tomorrow night's Championship home game with Scunthorpe, but neither is expected to start. Boro lost one member of the squad this weekend as out-of-favour striker Lee Miller joined Scunthorpe on loan until the end of the season. I have not had a lot of chances in the Championship to be honest with Middlesbrough, said Miller. So hopefully, fingers crossed, I can work my way into this team and make a contribution. It's been very frustrating at Middlesbrough. I felt I did well in training and when I played in the reserves, but I just didn't get the chance that I wanted. I just want to play games and score the goals that will keep us (Scunthorpe) up.

Source: Northern Echo

Source: Northern Echo