NEWCASTLE
A couple of new names have been linked with Newcastle this morning, although it’s hard to see one of them coming to anything.
Various internet sites have linked the Magpies with a possible move for Middlesbrough midfielder Adama Traore, who has been interesting Chelsea and West Ham in the early weeks of the transfer window.
Middlesbrough aren’t particularly keen on selling Traore to anyone this summer, but if they do, they’ll be wanting upwards of £10m and Rafael Benitez is unlikely to splash that on someone who is still relatively unproven at the highest level.
Our understanding is that Newcastle aren’t interested anyway – they’re looking at attacking midfielders, but have other options on the agenda.
Of more interest is the news emerging from the Italian media that Newcastle have inquired about Verona midfielder Romulo.
The 30-year-old Brazilian helped Verona win promotion from Serie B last season, and is a central midfielder who can also play in the back four.
Newcastle have looked at a number of experienced defensive midfielders in recent weeks, most notably Liverpool’s Lucas Leiva and Manchester City’s Fernando, and Romulo is a similar type of option.
MIDDLESBROUGH
Boro need a new goalkeeper this summer, and Keiren Westwood is understood to be one of their leading targets.
New Boro boss Garry Monk knows the Championship market well after spending last season at Leeds, and regards Westwood as one of the leading shot-stoppers with experience of the second tier.
Boro officials have discussed the possibility of a £3m bid with their counterparts at Hillsborough, and while Sheffield Wednesday will be reluctant to lose their number one keeper, a deal is possible.
Stoke were linked with a £12m bid for Ben Gibson yesterday, but their chairman, Peter Coates, has rubbished the reports.
Boro don’t want to sell Gibson this summer – and they certainly won’t be interested at doing business at anywhere near that price. Treble it, and they might have to seriously consider their options.
The Northern Echo website broke the news that Stewart Downing was available on a free transfer yesterday afternoon, and Brighton have become the first club to make a firm approach for the England international.
SUNDERLAND
Talk of Alan Pardew taking over at the Stadium of Light refuses to go away, but our understanding is that the former Newcastle boss will not be considered unless a successful takeover completely changes the current thinking on Wearside.
Even if he was offered the role, Pardew would be extremely reluctant to take it given his history as manager of Newcastle United.
The takeover discussions remain ongoing, with an unnamed German consortium closest to striking an agreement.
However, with Ellis Short having flagged up this weekend as a key point in negotiations, there must be mounting concern at the apparent lack of progress.
Sunderland play their opening pre-season game a fortnight today, and as things stand, Robbie Stockdale is likely to be in the dug-out at Bury’s Gigg Lane.
OTHER CLUBS
Paris St Germain are determined to to beat Arsenal and Real Madrid to the signature of Monaco sensation Kylian Mbappe by launching a world-record £119m bid for the striker.
According to the Daily Mirror, the French giants are willing to exceed the £89m fee Manchester United paid for Paul Pogba to steal a march on their rivals in the race to recruit Ligue 1 winner Mbappe. The 18-year-old scored 26 goals in 44 appearances last season.
Antonio Conte has urged the Chelsea board to secure either Juventus centre-back Leonardo Bonucci or Virgil van Dijk of Southampton as he looks to bolster the Blues' back line.
The Italian won three Serie A titles while managing Bonucci at Juve but the Guardian claims the Italy international would cost in excess of £50m.
Dutch defender Van Dijk, who at one point seemed close to signing for Liverpool, would represent a signing more in keeping with Chelsea's transfer strategy.
The Sun says Tottenham are now ready to approach Schalke for Max Meyer after the Germany Under-21 winger was made available for a half-price fee of £17.5m.
When Mauricio Pochettino enquired about Meyer last summer he was quoted £39m but the 21-year-old is refusing to sign a new contract with the Bundesliga club and will be allowed to depart.
Alberto Moreno barely featured for Liverpool last season but the Reds have put a £15m price tag on the Spanish left-back, writes the Daily Telegraph.
An £11m bid from Napoli was dismissed this week and both Milan clubs are keen to snap up a player who cost Liverpool £12m three years ago.
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