When West Bromwich Albion defied the footballing odds to remain in the Premiership suggestions that they might lose their best players suddenly died down.

Until yesterday when it emerged Aston Villa and Tottenham were chasing their midfield star Zoltan Gera who had been widely expected to move had Albion been relegated.

The Hungarian midfielder made a huge impact at The Hawthorns following his move from Ferencvaros and has shrugged off a slow start to his career in the Midlands and cemented himself into Bryan Robson's starting lineup with a series of incisive attacking displays.

But in a development that could be as much about his current contract as a likely transfer, the 26-year-old's agent has come out and identified Villa and Spurs as two clubs who have expressed their interest in the Hungary captain.

Vladan Filipovic yesterday said that both teams were interested in signing his client when he admitted: "Yes, there are two clubs that are interested in signing him but these approaches aren't official ones. I and the player may connect with them if West Bromwich Albion accept the approaches and then we can start talks.

"The main teams are the ones that showed interest recently - the clubs are Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa. But they haven't stepped on to the official ways."

Tellingly, he claimed Gera's value had risen, almost exponential, in his time with Albion, saying: "I can confirm that Gera's price has been doubled since he joined WBA thanks to his amazing first year in Birmingham."

The timing of Filipovic's statement is probably more for Albion's ears than that of any other club. Albion's staying in the top flight means he is likely to want to renegotiate a contract for his player.

Gera himself says that his future will be resolved in the next few weeks. "Let me say how good I feel at West Bromwich Albion and how grateful I am to the club," he said.

"They helped me a lot to adapt and helped me to develop. Partly I'm in my club's hands because I'm contracted to West Bromwich Albion but my future might be decided in the following weeks."

Meanwhile, Albion centreback Thomas Gaardsoe is in the provisional squad for Denmark's two internationals next month.

The defender could win his third cap in the friendly against Finland in Tampere on Thursday, June 2 or the group two World Cup qualifier against Albania, in Copenhagen, six days later.

Gaardsoe, who has made two substitute appearances for his country, last played in Denmark's 5-1 win against Poland in August, when he also scored. Morten Olsen's final 20-man party will be announced on Tuesday.