What will happen at Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough on transfer deadline day?

If I was a betting man, I'd be sticking my money on no more arrivals at St James' Park before the transfer window closes.

I know that's not what Newcastle fans want to hear - and I'd also agree it's not what the club needs given their struggles in the opening weeks of the season - but after spending more than £35m on nine signings already this summer, Mike Ashley is not in the mood to be splashing the cash again.

He certainly seems to be adamant that he won't be lured into a last-minute punt on someone who has not been scouted extensively, so in terms of strikers, Alexandre Lacazette is the only long-term target still available. But with Lyon still refusing to lower their £14m asking price, there's little chance of him moving to Tyneside.

Ideally, Alan Pardew would also like another defender, and talks with Atletico Madrid over Toby Alderweireld have taken place over the weekend.

Newcastle would like to engineer a season-long loan with a view to a permanent move next summer, but it increasingly looks as though Southampton are winning the race to sign the Belgian international.

In terms of exits, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa could leave, although he's unlikely to be departing unless Newcastle bring in a defender.

Hatem Ben Arfa's situation remains as clear as mud, but with no way back for the Frenchman under Pardew, it would be a major surprise if he had not gone somewhere on loan by the 11pm deadline.

SUNDERLAND

It could well be a case of two in and two out for Sunderland on deadline day, with incoming and outgoing deals close to being agreed.

Ricardo Alvarez has spent the weekend on Wearside, and pictures have begun to circulate on social media showing him holding a Sunderland shirt.

His season-long loan from Inter Milan will be confirmed on the morning of deadline day, with Sunderland also having agreed a prospective permanent deal for next summer.

The deal, which is understood to be worth around £6.8m, can be triggered by the Black Cats provided they have remained in the Premier League.

The second deal in the offing is a season-long loan for Liverpool defender Sebastian Coates, who can play at centre-half or full-back.

Sunderland have been discussing the option of a move for the Uruguayan for a while, but with only one loan permissable from each Premier League club, Gus Poyet hand't wanted to make a move while there was still a chance of landing Fabio Borini.

The Black Cats head coach finally appears to have accepted that Borini will not be returning to the Stadium of Light, so discussions with Coates progressed over the weekend.

Sunderland have also considered Manchester City defender Micah Richards, but a transfer for the England international is now regarded as unlikely.

In terms of outgoings, Modibo Diakitie is set to join Fiorentina, with Valentin Roberge also expected to be leaving Wearside. The defender has been in discussions with French side Reims.

Cabral could also move before the transfer window closes, while Danny Graham continues to interest a number of Championship sides.

MIDDLESBROUGH

It looks set to be a reasonably busy deadline day for Middlesbrough, with Jelle Vossen and Yanic Wildschut both on the verge of agreeing transfers.

Vossen is understood to have travelled to England on Sunday to discuss a potential move to Teesside, and after a pursuit that has lasted the best part of 18 months, Boro finally look set to land their man.

Vossen's employers at Genk turned down a series of bids from Boro last summer, but their stance altered at the end of last week and the striker was given the green light to move to England.

He is expected to sign a season-long loan until the end of the season, with Boro paying a healthy fee to secure his services for the rest of the campaign. The Teessiders would then hope to agree a permanent transfer for the Belgian international next summer.

After a busy weekend of discussions, Boro are also close to completing a deal for Dutch winger Wildschut.

The Teessiders have agreed a fee of around €800,000 for the Heerenveen wide man, who has represented Holland at Under-21 level.

He is expected to travel to Rockliffe Park on the morning of deadline day for a medical and to agree personal terms.

Chelsea midfielder Lewis Baker remains a target, although Boro could still sign the youngster once the Football League loan window opens if they are unable to agree a deadline-day deal.

The ability to loan players outside the transfer window period means there is no great rush to get rid of players ahead of the deadline, although there is still a chance that out-of-favour goalkeeper Jason Steele could leave if another Championship club came in for him.