TONY Mowbray has held talks with Dutchman Anouar Hadouir, but the Middlesbrough manager will not be in a position to sign the attacking midfielder until someone leaves to create a gap in the current squad at the Riverside.

Hadouir is set to become a free agent this month as his contract with Eredivisie side Roda JC is set to expire.

The 28-year-old, who has Moroccan parentage, was linked with reigning Dutch champions Ajax as recently as last summer, but travelled to England at the end of last month to discuss his future with Middlesbrough officials.

He met Mowbray at Boro's Rockliffe Park training ground and was given a tour of the complex as well as visiting the Riverside.

"I have been in England and got a tour of the training ground and the stadium," said Hadouir, who spent five years with Willem II before signing for Roda in 2007. "Also I have had a meeting with manager Tony Mowbray.

"I was very impressed. Middlesbrough play in the Championship, but have the attitude of a Premier League side."

Sources in Holland claim Hadouir is keen on a move to England, but despite having initiated talks, Mowbray is not in a position to offer the play-maker a contract at the moment.

With Boro chairman Steve Gibson keen to see the club's wage bill at least halved this summer, Mowbray will be unable to sign anyone until there is movement in the opposite direction out of the club.

At the moment, Willo Flood is the only senior player to have left since the end of last season, with Julio Arca and Andrew Taylor both pondering offers of a new contract, albeit at a significantly reduced rate, before their current deal expires at the end of the month.

Worryingly, while there has been interest in the likes of Rhys Williams and Marvin Emnes, there has been no meaningful contact regarding high earners such as Didier Digard, Kris Boyd and Scott McDonald, who Mowbray is particularly keen to move on.

Meanwhile, Boro reserves have arranged pre-season friendlies with Spennymoor, Billingham Synthonia, Harrogate Town, Fylde and Chester-le-Street Town.

The club's title-winning development squad will make the short trip to Spennymoor on Tuesday, July 12 (7.30pm).

They then visit near-neighbours Synthonia on Saturday, July 16 (3pm) before a trip to Harrogate Town on Wednesday, July 20 (7pm).

The night after Mowbray's first team face Carlisle United, the reserves have an away game at Fylde on Wednesday, July 27 (7.45pm) before a trip to Chester-le-Street on Wednesday, August 3 (7.30pm).