Early pre-season was dominated by the protracted contract talks involving Mark Viduka. West Ham United, and Birmingham City were rumoured destinations for the Boro striker, before he eventually decided to move on a Bosman free transfer to Newcastle United. This meant Boro had only two strikers remaining in Yakubu and Lee Dong-Gook having also released Malcolm Christie and Danny Graham at the ends of their contracts. Jérémie Aliadière from Arsenal and Tuncay from Fenerbahçe were brought in as replacements. Right back Luke Young was also brought in on 26 July 2007 for £2.5 million from relegated Charlton Athletic following the departures of Abel Xavier and Stuart Parnaby on free transfers.