Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren has given up on efforts to lure Chelsea midfielder Geremi back to Teesside after failing with three approaches.
"We did make an attempt to bring Geremi back here," McClaren said in a BBC Radio Cleveland Fans` Forum.
"We approached Chelsea in December, again at the start of January and again last week.
"But it`s not to be. Chelsea are not letting any of their players go so we have to move on."
The Cameroon international spent a successful loan spell at Boro two seasons ago before securing a £7m move to Chelsea from Real Madrid
McClaren hoped Geremi might be the answer to his problems on the right side of midfield in the wake of Gaizka Mendieta`s season-ending knee injury.
But
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho was not prepared to let the 26-year-old leave either on a temporary or permanent basis, despite the player`s indication that he would welcome a return to the north east.
Geremi is one of a series of midfielders, such as Olivier Dacourt and Steed Malbranque, to be linked with Boro since George Boateng joined Mendieta on the casualty list with a fractured toe.
McClaren also admitted he needs cover for left-back Franck Queudrue, but the Boro manager is refusing to giving anything away.
"We`re still looking for cover at left-back and in midfield," he said.
"We would like two or possibly three new faces, but they need to be of the right quality and there are no guarantees they will be available. We`ll keep trying."
