Heat is on in Valdez race

The race to sign Werder Bremen striker Nelson Valdez looks to be gathering pace.

Borussia Dortmund are keen on the 22-year-old, but now it has emerged that an as yet unnamed club are ready to rival them for his signature, while Bremen still hope to keep him.

Valdez scored a hat-trick in the 5-0 thrashing of Hannover on Saturday and stressed that he no longer wants to feature as understudy to German international Miroslav Klose and Croatian goal-getter Ivan Klasnic.

‚Ç£I am fed up with being a super-sub. I have received enquiries from abroad as well and now it's up to me to make a decision.

"I am in no rush and I might take my time until after the World Cup,‚Ç¥ the Paraguay international revealed.

Former UEFA Champions League winners Dortmund have registered their interested in the youngster, but Bert Van Marwijk's wish to capture Valdez next summer might be conquered if the player receives a lucrative offer from his preferred destination, La Liga in Spain.