SURREY look set to open negotiations with Kent and Sussex for the release of Rob Key and Luke Wright once the season is over, writes Marcus Hook.

Key and Wright are contracted to play for their respective counties in 2010 but both are said to be keen to be a part of Chris Adams's ambitious plans for the Brown Caps.

It's a further indication that a transfer system in county cricket could be around the corner.

Worcestershire have demanded compensation from Hampshire before they release Kabir Ali from his contract.

And Leicestershire want a compensation system to protect the smaller counties against losing their top players.

Kent's chairman of cricket Graham Johnson has warned Surrey over approaching Key, who has apparently put his house in Whitstable on the market.

Having already captured wicketkeeper Steven Davies and all-rounder Gareth Batty from Worcestershire, Surrey could soon be challenging for major honours once again if, in addition to capturing Key and Wright, they are able to persuade Yorkshire's 24-year-old seamer Ajmal Shahzad, who is out of contract, to make the move south. All that would then be needed would be for Surrey to nail down a top-quality overseas signing.

Adams's preference in terms of next year's overseas player is thought to be a spinner.

That suggests Surrey are looking at bringing in one of Piyush Chawla, Harbhajan Singh or even Danish Kaneria, who has enjoyed yet another successful season with Essex, but who continues to be overlooked by Pakistan.

With Surrey having matched the seven victories they recorded in all competitions in 2008, there is still a chance they could start to turn the corner by finishing the season on a high.

Wins over promotion challenging Glamorgan in the LV County Championship and Leicestershire in the last ever round of NatWest Pro40 matches would provide a positive ending.