[SarfLondonSpur]

But Fulham are ****?

[Mr Cool]

Middlesbrough defender Franck Queudrue has revealed that he wants to quit The Riverside, with the Frenchman saying a move to Fulham could be on the cards.

Queudrue has proved to be one of Boro's most consistent performers over the past four seasons, having made the move from Lens in 2002, with his committed displays winning him many fans on Teesside.

However, it would appear as if his Middlesbrough career is drawing to a close - as his representatives are locked in talks with Chris Coleman's Fulham.

"I want a departure," Queudrue told But! "But it is not only me who makes this decision.

"With Fulham, the negotiations are at the most advanced stage."

Queudrue has other irons in the fire, as he claims clubs in France are trying to lure him back to Ligue 1.

"I have some preliminary contacts in France but, firstly, the clubs have to sell their left full back," added the 27-year-old defender.

:thdn:

[Tony85]

As much as I love French Franck it is probably for the best. He stated a while ago that he doubted that he would renew his contract here, so it's good to at least get some money for him before his contract runs out.

Plus he didn't have the best of seasons last year. I just hope we don't end up playing Mad Dog regularly next season at left-back. Any-one have an idea what sort of fee it will be?

I’m getting a bit concerned with our squad size shrinking though and no replacements as of yet being brought in apart from that French kid. Hopefully the club can get new some new players in soon so they can get bedded in before the start of the season.

[Powlay]

NOOOOOOOOO!

Sod off Fulham NO CHANCE!

I will run naked round my garden 20 times if he goes to Fulham.

If he were to go, it will be a bigger club, maybe liverpool or back to France. But Fulham, no chance.

fee up to £2.5m if he were to leave.

Its annoying that we are supposedly intrested in Arca of Sunderland he is nowhere near as good as Frank defensivley..

Grrrr my days ruined!

[Cheese On Toast]

hopefully we will get a bit of money for him. Reckon that taylor would be a good replacement. Did well when he was called upon last season.

Im also abit concerned with our squad. No major signings and we've let a few players go.

SORTITOUTGARETH

[BoroPhil]

I'm a bit concerned we haven't signed anyone but...

[ManagerSpeak]

Our squad is probably better off than this time last season as we have Wheater, Taylor, Cattermole, Johnson, etc who weren't really squad members at the start of last season.

[/ManagerSpeak]

No doubt when Mendi returns at the end of August it will be like 'signing a new player'.

As for Frank, at his best >>>>>>> Pogo and Taylor (and Arca for that matter) but if he wants to leave,what can you do?

Someone on FMTTM was reckoning Distin is almost a done deal, so CoT will be happy.

[BoroPhil]

Boro are poised to offer South American star Julio Arca a quick route back to the Premiership.

The lively Argentine was withdrawn from Sunderland's friendly win against Rotherham at Millmoor last night, allegedly at Boro's request.

The £2m-rated 25-year-old will be seen as a potential left-sided replacement for Franck Queudrue, should the Frenchman complete a projected move to Fulham.



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Arca, who is out of contract at the Stadium of Light next summer, is more of an attacking player than Queudrue and is more at home on the left side of midfield.


He is nippy and creative, but has also played a lot of football at left-back.


Arca, who was signed from Argentinos Juniors for £3.5m six years ago, has made 187 appearances for Sunderland, scoring 23 goals.


He is a favourite with the Sunderland fans and has enough Premiership experience to suggest he can slot straight into the Boro squad should the two clubs hammer out a deal this week.


Gareth Southgate is still chasing his first signing


of the summer, but there are reports that Sunderland want to complete a quick deal because they want Arca's future resolved one way or the other.


Even so, Southgate has again stressed that he will be patient as he works to strengthen his squad.


He said: "We are still five weeks away from the start of the season and I am certain there will be a lot of developments in this time.


"I don't have to be forced or rushed into making any rash decisions.


"The big thing is that the players are full of enthusiasm and we have a quality squad already this club.


"We reached the final of the UEFA Cup with this squad and the majority of the players are still here.


"In fact we have a bigger squad now than we did at the start of last season because of the progress made by some of the younger players.


"We will not be taking any decisions which interfere with what we have already got, but I still want to bring in a couple of new faces and I am confident that I will be able to do that before the start of the season."


Boro keeper Mark Schwarzer could be back by the weekend after enjoying a well earned break following the World Cup Finals, though he may not be involved in Boro's opening friendly game at Rangers on Saturday.


There are still a limited number of tickets available for this game, which must be purchased in person at the Riverside's main ticket office and are priced at £19 for adults and £7 for U16s/Over 65s.


Tickets for Boro's friendly at Sheffield Wednesday, which takes place on Saturday, July 29, are now on sale.


Boro have been given an allocation of 200 tickets priced at £15 for adults and £10 for U16/Over 65s. Tickets can be purchased from the main ticket office at the Riverside or over the phone.


Boro's other World Cup players, Mark Viduka and Stewart Downing are due to return on Monday which will bring the training squad up to full strength.


The only player at Rockliffe Park currently not in full training is Spanish international Gaizka Mendieta, who will miss the start of the season as he battles to make a full recovery from a broken foot.

Portsmouth have emerged as serious contenders with Boro for Manchester City defender Sylvain Distin.

Boro are keen to agree a fee with City for the 28-year-old, who is seen as a potential replacement in the heart of the defence for Gareth Southgate.

But reports from the South Coast suggest that Pompey boss Harry Redknapp is ready to outbid Boro and offer Distin a more lucrative deal.

New Portsmouth owner Alexandre Gaydamak has made millions available for Redknapp to spend, with Nicolas Anelka claiming that Pompey have offered Fenerbahce £8.2m for him.



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Earlier Pompey were sniffing around their old boy Yakubu, though Southgate made it


clear the striker was not for sale.


Pompey also want a centre-back, and have been alerted to the news that Distin is unsettled.


City do not want Distin to leave, but manager Stuart Pearce has so far failed to convince the Frenchman to accept a contract extension. Sources at City claim that Distin is determined to leave, and wants to stay in the Premiership.


If City eventually admit defeat in their attempts to entice Distin to stay, he could well be made available for around £4m - because he could walk away as a free agent in 12 months time.


This is a similar fee to the one which Boro were prepared to pay Chelsea for Robert Huth, before the German defender failed a medical at Rockliffe Park because of an ankle problem.


Reports which claim that Boro are back in for Huth should be ignored. Southgate is definitely looking elsewhere in his search for a centre-back.

[BoroPhil]

"In fact we have a bigger squad now than we did at the start of last season because of the progress made by some of the younger players.

I should write Gareth's speeches.

[Cheese On Toast]

Mon pompey \o/

[BoroPhil]

Round up of Gazette news:

The game v Chievo will be a Coops testimonial :thup:
Boateng is the new captain :thup:
Franky is set to seal his move to Fulham

squad for Rangers (a) tomorrow:

Turnbull, Steele, Parnaby, Pogatetz, Taylor, Riggott, Bates, Hines, Boateng, Cattermole, Rochemback, Johnson, Morrison, Walker, Williams (Rhys), Yakubu, Maccarone, Craddock.

Who is Steele?? and Williams for that matter.