ROBBO WANTS TALKS AFTER ZIEGE BID

MIDDLESBROUGH manager Bryan Robson has revealed that he has received a bid from Liverpool for star defender Christian Ziege, and has called for a meeting with the German international to discuss the offer.

The former Milan left back, 28, has been linked with the Anfield club since last season, but the ambitious Riverside outfit refused to sell him.

However, Robson has now admitted for the first time that his Liverpool counterpart has made an approach, and has admitted that he wants talks with Ziege, although the player was unable to return from Germany for the meeting on Wednesday as his wife is ill.

"I have received a Liverpool bid," Robson said. "I have not responded to it.

"I have had no indication that he wants to leave. We will meet and have talks, but these are not showdown talks, merely clarification of position."

Boro assistant manager Viv Anderson last week claimed that Ziege was "happy" at the Riverside, but whether the lure of Uefa Cup football could prove too much for him to turn down has yet to be seen.