 FRANCK Queudrue will have talks with Newcastle United on Monday as Sam Allardyce looks to finally fill the club’s problematic left-back spot. And another Frenchman, Rod Fanni, is in the frame to complete a revamped back four at St James’s Park. Former Middlesbrough defender Queudrue moved closer to leaving Fulham when the Cottagers signed Paul Konchesky from West Ham United yesterday. The England international moved across London for an undisclosed fee. Although Konchesky can also play in midfield, he seems certain to be a replacement for the unsettled Queudrue. The player’s agent, Dominique Six, revealed Newcastle are in pole position to land Queudrue, who left Teesside for the capital a year ago. Another, unnamed club, have approached the 28-year-old but would prefer to make a move in the January transfer window because of financial constraints. Queudrue’s representative is expecting to meet Lawrie Sanchez on Monday to discuss his client’s situation now Konchesky has signed. After that he is due to speak to Newcastle – on the phone rather than in person. Like a number of Chris Coleman’s former signings at Craven Cottage, Queudrue does not seem enamoured with Sanchez’s direct style and is agitating for a move. The opportunity to move back to the North-East, where he spent five years with Middlesbrough, would seem an ideal solution. But Six believes another of the players he represents, defender Fanni, has an even better chance of playing for the Magpies next season. The 26-year-old has been touted around Europe after his club Nice agreed to sell this summer, and Newcastle are keen on the £3.5m-rated player. Fanni, who has also been linked with the likes of Monaco, Celtic, Genoa and St Etienne, is a prototype Allardyce player. Although 28 of his 33 Ligue 1 starts came at right-back last season, his others came at centre-back, left-back, right midfield and central midfield. The former Martigues, Lens and Chateauroux player claimed earlier in the season that, as well as Newcastle, Everton and West Ham United have also been in touch but Six was keen to stress Newcastle’s interest when he spoke to The Journal. “All the managers in France love this player,” he said. “I have three clubs in France who want him but I think I can get him a transfer to the Premier League.” Observers in France have described Fanni as “Lilian Thuram’s heir apparent” in les Bleus’ squad and he is widely expected to earn his first cap next season. His contract runs until 2010. With Geremi and David Rozehnal already signed, Allardyce could start the season with an all-new back four of Geremi, Fanni, Rozehnal and Queudrue. However, Fanni’s arrival would give Allardyce the option of employing Geremi in midfield, making space for Steven Taylor to partner Rozehnal in the centre once he recovers from his ankle injury. Taylor was one of the few United players to emerge with any credit from last season and was recently talked about by England manager Steve McClaren as a potential international of the not-too distant future. He is also one of the leading candidates to skipper the side. Meanwhile, the Magpies could have Mark Viduka available sooner than expected after Australia were embarrassed at the Asia Cup yesterday. A goal from the striker could not prevent the Socceroos losing 3-1 to minnows Iraq, which could see their participation in the tournament end next week. | 
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