Is Zoltan Gera really on his way from Albion?

Zoltan Gera
By Jemma Tappenden
March 24 2008

The year is not yet three months old, but it’s already been quite a year for West Brom and Hungarian International midfielder Zoltan Gera. The Albion star became a father for the first time this week, and with international games, important promotion games and one hell of an FA Cup run to contend with, the last thing this busy footballer needs is to be the centre of yet another quit scandal.

Yet Zoltan Gera became the talking point of yet another make or break Albion story this weekend amidst rumours that he will quit the Baggies in the summer if they fail to win promotion to the Premier League at the end of the season.

Unusually, this story seems to have broken first in the Hungarian media, who have claimed that Gera will exit the Baggies in the summer regardless of whether Albion win promotion or take their FA Cup dream all the way. This has added fresh speculation on top of British newspaper claims that Gera will only stay at the Hawthorns if he has the opportunity to play in the Premiership this forthcoming August.

Gera’s contract with Albion expires at the end of the season, and so far failed new contract negotiations have only added fuel to the fire of what Gera’s English representatives are claiming to be a mix up over translations.

Only time will tell if the rumours are true, but one thing that is for certain is that publicly Gera certainly seems to have Albion on his mind, commenting this week to the official site that team spirit in the dressing room is as good as ever, and that promotion is still the main aim despite a stunning run and chance in the FA Cup.

As far as internationals go, Gera will not be making an appearance for Hungary in their friendly against Slovenia on Wednesday. He has been given leave by Peter Varhidi of his international duties to spend time at home with his new arrival.

Gera will spend his time at home with his wife, and first born child, a daughter named Hanna and is very much looking forward to being a dad rather than a footballer for a few days.