EDDIE Mitchell last night confirmed Cherries were in negotiation to trade Scott Malone for Josh McQuoid and defended the proposed deal by saying: “It’s what suits managers”.

Malone is understood to have already finalised personal terms with Millwall, although the switch is still dependant on McQuoid agreeing to move in the opposite direction.

Daily Echo sources suggest discussions over the length of McQuoid’s contract could be delaying the move with the striker also insisting Cherries match his wages with the Championship outfit.

It is believed the two clubs are trying to thrash out a player-plus-cash deal worth in the region of £750,000, although Mitchell understandably declined to be drawn on figures.

Malone joined Cherries from Wolves in January for a fee of around £150,000, while McQuoid left Dean Court for Millwall in a £515,000 deal in January 2011.

Utility man Malone was signed by previous boss Lee Bradbury – initially on loan at the start of last season – and penned a lucrative three-and-a-half year contract just four months ago.

However, the 21-year-old, who scored six times in 37 appearances, did not feature in Cherries’ final two games under caretaker boss Paul Groves, who has since be promoted to the post on a permanent basis.

Asked by the Daily Echo why the club might be looking to offload Malone, chairman Mitchell replied: “You might ask the same about Josh McQuoid. It’s what suits managers, it’s what they see in players, it’s very opinionated. A different manager brought in Scott.”

Malone was last week understood to have flown back from a holiday in Spain to meet Millwall boss Kenny Jackett and chief executive Andy Ambler to discuss terms. Both he and McQuoid were part of a 16-strong party of Cherries players and friends who had been holidaying in Marbella.

Mitchell added: “Paul (Groves) asked the board if we would consider doing a swap between the two of them if the figures were right and we said we would “At this moment in time, I know they are working towards doing a deal but can’t say how far they have got. It would have to work for the club for it to go through and it would have to be good business for the club.

“It is an ongoing situation but nothing has been finalised. It is at the negotiating stage and whether or not it will come off is in the laps of the players and the clubs.

“The players and the clubs have been talking. It is not a secret and there is a possibility it might be done but I can’t say one way or another how far down the line we are.”