Fulham are reportedly considering whether to accept a £5million bid from Middlesbrough for Steed Malbranque.
Boro are believed to have slapped in the sizeable offer for the 26-year-old on Monday.
Malbranque had been tipped to join Newcastle in a £3.5million move with the opportunity to play UEFA Cup football on Tyneside – providing the Magpies negotiate a path through the Intertoto Cup.
But Glenn Roeder’s chances of landing the former Lyon star now look slim after new Teessiders boss Gareth Southgate was given significant financial muscle by chairman Steve Gibson.
Malbranque looks certain to leave Craven Cottage this summer as he has only a year remaining on his current contract.
Everton, Manchester City and West Ham are among the other Premiership clubs interested in his services.
