WHAT are the main transfer stories dominating the North-East footballing agenda this morning?

NEWCASTLE

There has been plenty of talk when it comes to Newcastle United’s transfer business this summer, but so far, there has been nothing in terms of action. That could be about to change in the next couple of days though, with Chancel Mbemba on the verge of completing a move away from Tyneside.

Mbemba is set to join Portuguese side Porto before the end of the week after a proposed switch to his former club, Anderlecht, broke down because the Belgian club could not meet Newcastle’s financial demands.

The Northern Echo:

Anderlecht were trying to set up an £8m double deal for Mbemba and Matz Sels, but Newcastle rejected their offer. The Jupiler League side still want to sign Sels, and a deal for the goalkeeper should be concluded shortly. However, they called off their pursuit of Mbemba.

That has opened the door for Porto, who have held detailed discussions with Newcastle officials. Mbemba joined Newcastle for around £8.5m when he signed from Anderlecht in the summer of 2015, and the Magpies are hoping to recoup the vast majority of that sum from Porto.

Mbemba, who is contracted to St James’ Park for two more years, made an immediate impression after moving to the North-East, but he struggled for game time during Newcastle’s Championship campaign and was a virtual bystander in the second half of last season.

In terms of incomings, the French media have linked Newcastle with Lille midfielder Thiago Maia.

The 21-year-old, who was part of the Brazil team that won an Olympic gold medal in 2016, impressed in Ligue 1 season despite Lille suffering a disappointing campaign.

He could well move on this summer, although he will not be cheap as Lille shelled out €14m to sign him 12 months ago and his stock has increased since.


SUNDERLAND

Sunderland have held discussions with Ross County over Jason Naismith, but their attempts to sign the full-back could be scuppered by competing interest from Scottish Premier League side Aberdeen.

The Northern Echo: Ross County's Jason Naismith is well aware of the threat posed by a rejuvenated Kilmarnock side

The Black Cats are understood to have bid £200,000 for Naismith, an offer that has been matched by their League One rivals Peterborough Town.

However, Aberdeen have also held talks with Ross County officials, and are hoping to opportunity to remain in Scotland, not to mention the lure of European football in the Europa League, could enable them to land the 23-year-old right-back.

Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes is willing to consider a cash-plus-player deal for Naismith, with Ross County believed to be interested in Dons midfielder Greg Tansey, who spent last season on loan in Dingwall.

Sunderland boss Jack Ross worked with Naismith during his time at St Mirren, and regards the defender as a ready-made replacement for Billy Jones, who left Sunderland as a free agent after his contract expired.

Ross will have to radically remodel his defence this summer, with John O’Shea and Marc Wilson also having left since the end of last season. Jake Clarke-Salter also returned to Chelsea following the end of his loan deal.

The Sunderland boss is also keen on Blackpool centre-half Clark Robertson, who is set to leave Bloomfield Road on a free transfer.


MIDDLESBROUGH

Norwich City winger Josh Murphy is the latest player to be linked with a possible move to Middlesbrough this summer, with Tony Pulis assessing potential replacements for Adama Traore.

Traore is hugely in demand this summer, and while he could yet remain at the Riverside, Boro’s scouting team are looking at a range of contingency plans in the event of the winger being allowed to leave.

Murphy, who is the brother of Newcastle winger Jacob, is an option, having scored 11 Championship goals for Norwich last season.

A natural wide player, who can cut in to support a central striker, the 23-year-old has also been heavily linked with Cardiff City in recent weeks.

Cardiff, who are looking to bolster the squad in the wake of their successful promotion to the Premier League, monitored Murphy throughout last season.

Meanwhile, as revealed in this morning’s Northern Echo, Everton are lining up a bid for Boro centre-half Ben Gibson.

The Northern Echo:

The Goodison Park club are ready to call time on their pursuit of Jamaal Lascelles as they are not willing to match Newcastle’s £30m asking price for the centre-half.

They are ready to turn to Gibson instead, and will attempt to persuade Boro to sell their home-grown centre-half for around £20m.


OTHER CLUBS

Former Chelsea and Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas has been tipped as a successor to Zinedine Zidane at the Bernabeu. The Sun reports Real Madrid are considering Villas-Boas as a replacement for the Frenchman after his surprise exit after winning his third Champions League title with the club.

Having left Shanghai SIPG in November, the Portuguese is a free agent and Real are said to have made contact. Despite a less-than-dazzling time in the Premier League, AVB retains admiration on the continent and Real's other rumoured top picks - including Spurs successor Mauricio Pochettino and Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp - are said to be out of reach.

Liverpool are to raise the tempo in their pursuit of Swiss winger Xherdan Shaqiri after the World Cup, the Daily Mirror reports.

The Northern Echo:

Representatives of the Stoke forward, 26, are said to have held talks with counterparts at Anfield already after the Potters' relegation from the top flight.

Stoke's demise is said to have reduced Shaqiri's price to £13.5m, which has not escaped the attention of other Premier League clubs.

Everton, West Ham, Tottenham and Southampton are said to be keeping an eye on the former Bayern Munich and Inter Milan player.

Talks are continuing apace between Arsenal and Sampdoria over their 22-year-old midfielder Lucas Torreira, according to the Daily Mail.

A £22m deal is said to be on the cards to bring the Uruguay international to the Emirates on his return from Russia. New boss Unai Emery is said to favour Torreira as part of his summer squad-strengthening spree, although Sampdoria have warned he will not come cheap.

A release clause in his contract may have to be paid off in instalments as the Gunners seek to maximise their budget.

Spurs are set to offer Dele Alli to a new long-term deal worth nearly £100,000-a-week, the Evening Standard reports. The 22-year-old midfielder's reported £40,000-a-week pay rise is said to be part of a drive by White Hart Lane bosses to lock in their star talent.

England captain Harry Kane signed a six-year deal on Friday, while efforts are said to be under way to secure the futures of Jan Vertonghen, Christian Eriksen and Eric Dier at the club.

Commitments by Kane and manager Pochettino, who agreed a new five-year deal, are part of a reported effort to consolidate ahead of next season.

A transfer to Manchester City for Napoli midfielder Jorginho appears to have hit rough ground after the Blues balked at the 26-year-old's £60m price tag, the Daily Mirror says.

City are reported to have offered £44m for the midfielder, who is said to have high hopes for a move to the Premier League.

His agent, Joao Santos, said an "opportunity of a lifetime" would await the Italy international at the Etihad.

The two clubs are said to have been trying to reach a compromise, however Real Madrid's Mateo Kovacic and Southampton's Mario Lemina are also tipped as possible targets.