Klinsmann free

BLACKBURN Rovers and Everton showed just why they are searching for a sharper edge up front - as it emerged that Jurgen Klinsmann could be available after all.

Both Rovers boss Ray Harford and Everton's Joe Royle have been linked with a move for the former Tottenham striker, and their need for the sort of quality the German has in abundance was all too evident in a scrappy 1-1 draw at Ewood Park.

The tentative moves for the 30 year old Klinsmann came after the German skipper voiced his displeasure at Bayern Munich coach Giovanni Trappatoni after being substituted four times in the club's first six games.

Klinsmann did play the full 90 minutes in Saturday's 1-0 win over Karlsruhe, but German newspaper Welt am Sonnlag revealed yesterday he has negotiated a clause in his Bayern contract allowing him to leave on a free transfer at the end of this season.

When Klinsmann left Tottenham after just one season taking advantage of another contract clause - he agreed a three year deal with the Bavarian giants.

The fact that he can walk out on Bayern this summer means that club president Franz Beckenbauer might be willing to listen to money offers, and the £15 million Rovers received for Alan Shearer gives Harford in particular a strong bargaining position.

However, both Premiership sides would probably find themselves battling with double Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund to secure Klinsmann's services.

Dortmund coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has already signalled his interest, insisting: "If he was available he'd be attractive to any club, so why not Dortmund?"

A signing of a player of Klinsmann's quality would fill the void left by Shearer's departure, although Harford's only summer signing, Greek winger George Donis, did show his class to score the opener in Saturday's draw, dribbling beyond four defenders before shooting home.

Harford said: "He's a bit special and sometimes you have to suffer some of the things he doesn't do. But it was a terrific goal for him and for us."