Bundesliga quartet tussle for Alpay

Werder Bremen have stepped into the race to sign Aston Villa's Turkey international Alpay, sparking a Bundesliga tug-of-war for his services.

Alpay, whose contract was terminated at Aston Villa after his goading of England captain David Beckham during their dramatic Euro 2004 qualifier in Istanbul, has already revealed interest from SV Hamburg, Borussia Monchengladbach and Hertha Berlin.

However Bremen have also stepped into the fray.

"We have asked about the terms for Alpay," Bremen sporting director Klaus Allofs confirmed to German magazine Kicker. "It is certainly possible."

Bremen are on the look-out for a central defender with Serbia and Montenegro international Mladen Kristajic leaving on a free transfer for Schalke 04 at the end of the season.

Hamburg, Gladbach and Hertha Berlin are the other three German clubs in the frame with sections of the media suggesting Hertha had already struck an agreement with the 30-year-old Turk.

"He was offered to us and I have been give a few facts about the player," explained Hertha general manager Dieter Hoeness. "However, I have not spoken with Alpay himself."