Boro have confirmed that Abel Xavier will not be staying at the Riverside after the player and the club failed to agree the terms of a new contract.
Gareth Southgate will be keen to get Mark Viduka's signature on a new contract but the Aussie seems in no hurry fo finalise his future plans.
The rumour mill has also started to grind with the latest gossip surounding Yakubu and Stewart Downing.
Out-of-form Yakubu is attracting interest from Fenerbahce in Turkey and his old club Portsmouth appear keen to team him up with Nigerian team-mate Kanu. The talk is of a fee in the region of £6m to £8m.
It has been rumoured that Boro are ready to off-load Downing to long-time admirers Tottenham for £6m. A new challenge may boost the wingers international career after attracting the boo-boys attention because he plays for 'unfashionable' Boro.
With limited resources available Southgate may have to sell to raise additional funds if he wants to compete in the transfer market.
Boro have been reported to be interested in several players, including Steve Sidwell (Reading), James Milner (Newcastle), Leighton Baines (Wigan), David Nugent (Preston) and Scott Brown (Hibernian).