A turbulent summer is set to hit the Riverside Stadium in the coming weeks as England U21 star Joe Bennett is in advanced talks with Newcastle United over a £3.5m transfer. Boro's increasing financial troubles have meant that the sale of star players is necessary while they remain committed to paying the likes of Kris Boyd, who has little prospect of moving anywhere, £30,000 a week. Bennett starred for the Teessiders last season and this move has added further fuel to the growing rumours of Tony Mowbray's imminent departure to Birmingham City.
Mowbray is dismayed that he is being asked to sell a player who he nurtured last season after being ignored by Gordon Strachan and feels that the fee vastly undervalues Bennett. However, cashflow difficulties mean that Newcastle's willingness to pay the full fee up front has won the day and it is now down to the player to agree personal terms. Magpies boss Alan Pardew has earmarked Bennett as a replacement for Jose Enrique, who is homing in on a £12m move to Liverpool.
There is however brighter news for the Boro faithful as a potential crowd-pleasing replacement has been identified by the scouting staff. Former Boro favourite Franck Queudrue is available on a free transfer following current club RC Lens' relegation from the French top flight and he has had initial discussions with chairman Steve Gibson about a return to his former stomping ground. Meanwhile, Mowbray is expected to hold a crisis meeting at the club on Friday to discuss his future.
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