NEWCASTLE
This time last summer, James Perch was leaving Newcastle to join Wigan, so the Latics must have a thing about signing average Newcastle full-backs during the close season.
For Perch 12 months ago, read James Tavernier today, with Newcastle having agreed a fee for the 22-year-old to move to the DW Stadium. As is the way of things these days, neither party has revealed what the fee is, but rest assured it won't be very much.
Touted as a future first-team regular when he made his senior debut in 2009, Tavernier leaves St James' having made a grand total of two appearances for the club.
He's had loan deals at Gateshead, Carlisle, Sheffield Wednesday, MK Dons, Shrewsbury and Rotherham, but has never really looked like establishing himself with Newcastle.
So another academy product bites the dust, something that has been a recurring theme on Tyneside for a number of years now.
Transfer likelihood rating: 10/10
While we're on the subject of outgoings, the talk around Mathieu Debuchy leaving Tyneside this summer continues to build.
Paris St Germain have been fluttering their eyelashes at the Frenchman, who is the only natural right-back on Newcastle's books, for a while now.
However, Arsenal were also credited with a strengthening interest in him yesterday, and it will be interesting to see what Debuchy's state of mind is once he returns from the World Cup.
As Newcastle discovered with Yohan Cabaye, if an established international decides he wants to move on, it can be hard to keep hold of him.
Transfer likelihood rating: 5/10
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is one of the strikers Newcastle are seriously courting this summer, but it looks increasingly like he will be remaining at Borussia Dortmund.
There has been talk of a release clause that might enable the Magpies to prise the striker away from his current employers, but Aubameyang's father, who is also called Pierre-Emerick, insists his son is moving nowhere.
And let's be honest, if you're named after your dad, you're probably going to do what he tells you.
"My son stays in Dortmund," said Pierre-Emerick Snr. "BVB have done a lot to facilitate his integration and he really likes it here."
Transfer likelihood rating: 2/10
SUNDERLAND
What does £7m buy you nowadays? A luxury country estate? A pint in a London pub? Well if you're Hull boss Steve Bruce, it buys you a lumbering Scotland international to go along with the overrated midfielder you've already shelled out £8m to sign earlier in the week.
That's right, having thrown a fortune at a host of average players during his time as Sunderland manager, Bruce is at it again.
Not content with making Jake Livermore Hull's all-time record signing, Bruce has now agreed a £7m fee for Robert Snodgrass, which could eventually rise to £8m if things go well.
Sunderland also wanted Snodgrass, but unsurprisingly, have decided that £7m is way too much to pay for a player who cost £3m two years ago, has subsequently been relegated, and is now about to enter the final year of his contract.
No wonder English clubs are so keen to look abroad as they attempt to sign some reasonably-priced talent.
Transfer likelihood rating: 0/10
The rest of the Premier League might be chuckling at Liverpool's inability to play Luis Suarez in the opening two-and-a-half months of the Premier League season, but the Urugayan's ban could have a negative impact on Sunderland's pursuit of Fabio Borini.
The Black Cats have been discussing a possible £8m move for Borini, and Brendan Rodgers had been willing to sell the Italian.
Suarez's suspension could change that though, with Borini now looking like a more important figure as Liverpool attempt to combine a pursuit of the Premier League title with the demands of the group stages of the Champions League.
Transfer likelihood rating: 4/10
It's been a couple of days without Sunderland being linked with a World Cup star, so it's time to throw another name into the mix.
According to that esteemed Italian institution the Corriere di Bologna, Sunderland have joined a host of Italian clubs in the hunt for Greece midfielder Panagiotis Kone.
Kone helped Greece into the knockout stages in Brazil, and is set to leave Bologna following the club's relegation from Serie A.
Sunderland have continued to monitor the Italian market despite the departure of Roberto De Fanti, but Kone is not believed to be a high-priority target.
Transfer likelihood rating: 3/10
MIDDLESBROUGH
Boro want Juanfran. What, the top-class Spain international who helped lay on a goal for Fernando Torres against Australia the other night? Err, no.
Boro want the Juanfran who's just been relegated from La Liga with Real Betis, but hold on a minute, don't let that put you off because at least it proves there's still signs of life in the Rockliffe Park recruitment office.
The Teessiders have agreed a 2m Euros deal with Real Betis officials, but with other clubs also interested, Juanfran has asked for a bit of time to consider his options.
A right-back who can also play at right midfield, the 25-year-old would plug a gap that has been apparent in the Boro ranks for quite a while now.
Transfer likelihood rating: 7/10
And finally, Boro have added former Real Madrid forward Ivan Perez Munoz to their coaching ranks as one of Aitor Karanka's assistants.
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