Silly season starts early in Hungary

Some of you might have seen the comments which have emerged today from Hungary, quoting Zoltan Gera's agent Vladan Filipovic.

He's claiming that Gera will 'surely leave Albion at the end of the season', when the player's contract expires.

Filipovic is also adamant that Gera will attract interest from European clubs, as well as Premier League clubs - claiming he will seek a move to a club involved in next season's Champions League or Uefa Cup.

My message to Albion fans is to ignore it.

Gera has made it clear he's happy and settled at The Hawthorns. If they go up there's every chance he'll sign a new contract at The Hawthorns. He likes it at Albion, he's one of the most popular players in the dressing room - does a mean Mr Bean impression - and has recently become a proud father.

So why on earth would he want to move if Albion get promoted?

If Albion don't go up then yes, he probably will leave - but then you know that already, so it's hardly a surprise.

But let's not forget that while Filipovic may be happy to tout his player around to the big guns across Europe, the simple fact remains that not a single club has so much as even made an inquiry, let alone a bid, for Gera since Middlesbrough's interest in January 2007.

Given that any interested clubs could have reasonably expected to get Gera for a knock-down price during the most recent January window - because of his contractual situation - then why were the Albion phone-lines so quiet?

Furthermore, as his contract is due to expire this summer, Gera has not only been able to speak to, but also eligible to sign a pre-contractual agreement with any non-English club since the New Year. Yet he hasn't.

So make of his agent's comments what you will.

Me? I'm off to pinch some salt.

*ALBION fans wanting a souvenir Wembley car sticker (£2.50 plus p+p) should email info@5starprinting.co.uk, who are producing the momento ahead of the FA Cup semi-final trip.