Middlesbrough chief executive Keith Lamb has told the
club's fans that Yakubu Aiyegbeni will not be joining Mark Viduka
in leaving The Riverside, and that the club are working hard to
bring in a replacement for the Australian striker.
Boro's preparations for next season were dealt a huge blow on
Thursday when Viduka decided to shun the offer of a new contract in
order to sign for local rivals Newcastle United.
Viduka's former strike partner Yakubu has also been linked with a
return to Portsmouth after a mixed campaign for Boro, but Lamb
insists the Nigerian will be going nowhere over the summer.
"Yakubu is contracted to this football club for the foreseeable
future and we have no plans at all to change that," said
Lamb.
"We are looking forward to seeing him back for pre-season training,
and he is still very much part of our future."
Boro have been linked with Arsenal striker Jeremie Aliadiere and
West Brom's Diomansy Kamara as they look to compensate for the loss
of Viduka, and Lamb insists that manager Gareth Southgate is
working hard on strengthening his squad.
"How much we miss him [Viduka] and how well he does up the road,
only time will tell," Lamb added.
"But we are moving forward. It is not about losing Mark Viduka, it
is about Middlesbrough football club and how we replace Mark
Viduka.
"The fans can be certain that Gareth and the rest of his staff are
doing all they can to bring in replacements.
"We are doing all we can. The transfer market is manic at the
moment.
"It will settle down eventually. We have our targets, our positions
to fill, and we are working quietly behind the scenes to do all we
can to bring those players into the football club.
"I am sure there will be a number of new faces at this football
club before the start of the season, and there will be some old
ones who remain with us.
"It will be an interesting mix for next year, but one I am sure
Gareth, come the first match of the season, will be absolutely
delighted with."
