Darlington midfielder Neil Heaney could be the next player to leave Feethams after Dundee United offered £200,000 for the former Arsenal player.

Heaney, once transferred for £300,000, was a crowd favourite last season after his arrival during the summer from Manchester City and was a regular on the left side of midfield, scoring five goals.

And his displays impressed Dundee United boss Paul Sturrock, who watched the two play-off games against Hartlepool in early May, when Heaney hit top form.

Darlington public relations director Luke Raine said: "We have received an offer from Dundee United and we are considering it.

"The chairman, George Reynolds, is in London and we will be talking about it more on Monday when he gets back."

Dundee United refused to comment last night. But it is understood they have provisionally arranged for the player to visit Tannadice on Monday for talks and a medical if necessary.

Heaney still has a year left on his contract after he signed on a free 12 months ago.

And his departure will set alarm bells ringing loud and clear among Feethams fans, who have seen several of last season's regulars leave in the last fortnight with no sign yet of any new blood to replace them.

Last night Heaney was non-commital. "As far as I am concerned nothing has been agreed," he said. "It's in the hands of the two clubs to agree a fee before I can speak to Dundee United."

"I have a year left on my contract at Darlington and it depends on the terms which Dundee United are offering.

"I will be delighted to stay at Darlington but it would be something I would relish if the move came off.

"I haven't seen much football from Scotland, but clubs like Celtic and Rangers would easily hold their own in our Premiership."

The indications are that Quakers will probably accept the offer and Heaney will depart next week, providing he agrees terms with the Scottish Premier League club, who signed central defender Jason DeVos from Darlington nearly two years ago.

Meanwhile, former Darlington owner Reg Brealey has been linked with Cardiff City.

It is understood that Brealey met the Cardiff board last week, and offered to buy shares in the financially troubled club.

However, Cardiff have already turned down an approach from former Wimbledon chairman Sam Hamman.

And another former Darlington owner, Mike Peden, has again been linked with a takeover of Scottish club Greenock Morton.

l Dutch side Groningen want to sign Liverpool's Icelandic reserve striker Haukur Gudnason.

Groningen claim they have begun talks with Liverpool over a deal for the 21-year-old, who has yet to feature for the first team since his £150,000 move from his home-town club of Keflavik in 1997.

Meanwhile, defender Neil Murphy, who was released by the Reds at the end of last season, hopes to clinch a contract with Blackpool when he begins a second trial with the Seasiders next week.

l Manchester City are set to sign Nigerian international Daniel Amokachi if he impresses in pre-season training with the club.

The 27-year-old former Everton striker is available on a Bosman free transfer from Turkish club Besiktas and is due to join the rest of the City players when they resume training on Monday.

Maine Road boss Joe Royle managed Amokachi at Everton during his previous spell in England, when he played a major role in the Merseysiders' march to the 1995 FA Cup title. And although he was sold the following season, Royle admits he perhaps never gave Amokachi the opportunity to display his talents to the full while at Goodison Park.

''Daniel is a great player and a smashing person who would fit in extremely well at City. He might not be prolific but he is strong and quick. There are still contractual implications over a possible move for Daniel which would have to be ironed out with the Turkish club. But first off I want to take a good look at his fitness next week.

''I have spoken to him and he assures me of his fitness, though he has had a couple of minor operations recently.

"He is very keen on the move and we are keen.''

l Leicester manager Peter Taylor yesterday completed his second signing of the week when he snapped up defender Callum Davidson from Blackburn for £1.7m