Mark Schwarzer has threatened to quit Middlesbrough because of what he perceives as their slack attitude towards offering players new contracts.
The 34-year-old goalkeeper has revealed his frustration at Boro's player retention policy, one he believes resulted in team-mate Mark Viduka joining Newcastle on a free transfer this summer.
Schwarzer, whose current deal expires next summer, says he's received interest from two clubs in England and a couple from abroad.
"I've taken it to be quite normal at Middlesbrough, they do leave things very, very late and they tend to do things only when they're under pressure to do something," Schwarzer said.
"It's unfortunate because it's not just with me, it's with other players like Mark.
"You would think with the more experienced players and the important players in the squad you would look to tie them down earlier and not let things drag on.
"But for some reason, and unbeknown to most of us, Middlesbrough tend to leave it until very late to sort it out.
"I'm not sure what I'm doing at the moment, my agent at the moment is in discussions with Middlesbrough and they've indicated that they want to offer me a new contract but, as yet, we haven't agreed to any terms.
"Plus there is interest from other clubs, one or two in England, but a couple from abroad as well."
Schwarzer was granted a transfer request by Middlesbrough late in 2005 and sought to join a new club, but he withdrew his request the following January.
He is eager to be settled at a club which can provide him with stability up until the 2010 World Cup.
"What I want to do is be settled and have my future settled up until the next World Cup, and the question is whether that will happen at Middlesbrough or somewhere else," he said.
"I've got to the stage where I've been at Middlesbrough for 10 and a half years and I've given them very good loyalty and service and, if that means I need to move on and go elsewhere then that's not a problem, I'll do so.
"There's a lot of factors involved. I've got one year left on my contract, so if they don't want to let me go they don't have to accept any transfer fee for me.
"By the same token, we don't need to agree to a new contract and come January I can talk to anyone I want within Europe. It's up in the air."
Schwarzer, whose current deal expires next summer, says he's received interest from two clubs in England and a couple from abroad.
"I've taken it to be quite normal at Middlesbrough, they do leave things very, very late and they tend to do things only when they're under pressure to do something," Schwarzer said.
"It's unfortunate because it's not just with me, it's with other players like Mark.
"You would think with the more experienced players and the important players in the squad you would look to tie them down earlier and not let things drag on.
"But for some reason, and unbeknown to most of us, Middlesbrough tend to leave it until very late to sort it out.
"I'm not sure what I'm doing at the moment, my agent at the moment is in discussions with Middlesbrough and they've indicated that they want to offer me a new contract but, as yet, we haven't agreed to any terms.
"Plus there is interest from other clubs, one or two in England, but a couple from abroad as well."
Schwarzer was granted a transfer request by Middlesbrough late in 2005 and sought to join a new club, but he withdrew his request the following January.
He is eager to be settled at a club which can provide him with stability up until the 2010 World Cup.
"What I want to do is be settled and have my future settled up until the next World Cup, and the question is whether that will happen at Middlesbrough or somewhere else," he said.
"I've got to the stage where I've been at Middlesbrough for 10 and a half years and I've given them very good loyalty and service and, if that means I need to move on and go elsewhere then that's not a problem, I'll do so.
"There's a lot of factors involved. I've got one year left on my contract, so if they don't want to let me go they don't have to accept any transfer fee for me.
"By the same token, we don't need to agree to a new contract and come January I can talk to anyone I want within Europe. It's up in the air."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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