Boateng loan no barrier to Bundesliga return

Sep 18 2008 by Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

KEVIN-Prince Boateng has been reassured a loan to Blues would not harm his chances of returning to play in the German Bundesliga.

According to reports in Berlin-based Der Tagesspiegel newspaper, the midfielder’s representative said that Boateng was concerned he would fall foul of a FIFA ruling if he appeared for Blues.

Jörg Neubauer revealed his client’s preference was to secure a transfer to one of his homeland’s top clubs in January. But if that came to pass after a stint at St Andrew’s, Boateng would not be able to proceed because players cannot appear for more than two clubs in any one season in an official match.

Action for Spurs reserves – Boateng’s only source of football so far since August – is classified as such, so the German under-21 international feared a move to Blues would leave him high and dry.

But those worries have been allayed as Blues have communicated that, according to Football League rules, a three-month ‘emergency’ loan doesn’t count, which would leave him free to go back to Germany, if anyone came in for him.

Blues boss Alex McLeish has made it clear that he would want to be sure of Boateng’s commitment before proceeding with a loan, and this latest development might not sit too well with him.

However, until McLeish can actually meet with Boateng himself for face-to-face talks, he will keep an open mind.

Boateng may even decide the Blues option, with a view to a permanent transfer, could indeed be in his best interests long-term, although interested German clubs are said to number VfB Stuttgart and Borussia Dortmund.