NEWCASTLE
Newcastle have spent most of the summer tracking Benfica midfielder Andreas Samaris, and reports in the Greek media this morning suggest a deal could finally be in the offing.
Samaris, a 28-year-old Greek international, has been in the Magpies’ sights for quite a while, but Benfica had initially been reluctant to agree to a deal.
However, the Portuguese side are poised to sign Argentina Under-20 international Santiago Ascacibar from Estudiantes de la Plata, and once that deal goes through, they will be willing to sell Samaris.
The central midfielder will not be going cheap, and Newcastle will almost certainly have to stump up €15m to take Samaris to Tyneside.
It looks as though they are willing to go that high though, with Rafael Benitez keen to complete his fifth summer signing following the arrival of Christian Atsu, Florian Lejeune, Jacob Murphy and Javier Manquillo.
Benitez remains keen to add a new striker to his ranks this summer, but the Magpies manager has been forced to look at loan options with the market for a permanent deal proving problematic.
Chelsea’s Michy Batshuayi is under consideration, although it is not yet clear whether Blues boss Antonio Conte will be willing to loan out the Belgian. Manchester City’s Patrick Roberts, who spent last season on loan at Celtic, could prove a more realistic option.
Newcastle return to pre-season action this evening when they take on Bradford City at Valley Parade.
SUNDERLAND
As reported in this morning’s Northern Echo, Sunderland are set to confirm the loan signing of Bournemouth striker Lewis Grabban within the next 24 hours.
Grabban is due at Sunderland’s Academy of Light training ground this morning, with the terms of his temporary switch from Bournemouth having been confirmed yesterday.
The 29-year-old spent last season on loan Reading, having re-joined Bournemouth from Norwich City last summer.
Sunderland remain interested in Grabban’s team-mate, Marc Wilson, but will not be signing another Cherries player, Max Gradel.
Black Cats boss Simon Grayson managed Gradel during his time at Leeds United, and had been keen to sign the Ivory Coast winger on loan this summer.
Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe was willing to consider such an arrangement at the start of the summer, but Gradel’s performances and attitude during pre-season mean his manager now wants to keep him at the Vitality Stadium.
Sunderland play their penultimate pre-season game this evening when they travel to Glanford Park to take on Scunthorpe United.
MIDDLESBROUGH
Boro chairman Steve Gibson has rejected two West Brom bids for Ben Gibson, with the Baggies’ offers – both of which were under £20m - falling well below the Teessiders’ valuation of their star centre-half.
However, the Baggies do not seem to have been deterred by Boro’s hardline stance, and are preparing to return to the table with an improved bid.
It remains to be seen what Boro’s attitude to that offer will be, but it will have to be a significant increase on their previous offers to be even be deemed worthy of consideration.
Michael Keane joined Everton for more than £30m this summer, and Boro officials regard Gibson to be at a similar stage of his development to the former Burnley centre-half.
Gibson is not the only player being linked with a possible exit from the Riverside – Gaston Ramirez’s proposed move to Spanish side Real Betis appears to be gathering momentum.
Ramirez has been restored to the first-team picture under Garry Monk, but his long-term future still appears to lie away from Teesside.
Ramirez’s agent has confirmed Real Betis’ interest in his client, and the La Liga club are understood to be keen to push through a deal before they return to pre-season training.
There has also been talk of a possible incoming signing during the last 24 hours, with Boro having been linked with Lithuanian forward Fedor Cernych.
Cernych, who is 26, currently plays for Polish side Jagiellonia Bialsytok, and is expected to be available for around €1m this summer.
OTHER CLUBS
Liverpool insist Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho is not for sale at any price but the Daily Star reports that Barcelona are preparing an £80m bid. The Reds have already rejected a £72m offer from the Catalan giants, who do not appear keen to take no for an answer.
Manchester City are hoping to beat Real Madrid to the signing of Monaco's teenage sensation Kylian Mbappe, according to the Daily Mirror. The Blues have already splashed out £217m this summer and the £143m capture of Mbappe would carry their spending spree beyond £350m.
Staying with Monaco, winger Thomas Lemar is set to complete a £45m move to Arsenal as the exodus from the club continues, writes The Sun. Bernardo Silva, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Benjamin Mendy and Valere Germain have already left the club and it appears that 21-year-old Lemar will get his wish to move to north London despite the French club initially holding out for £80m.
The Daily Mail reports that Tottenham are looking to bring in Hoffenheim full-back Jerremy Toljan. The 22-year-old can operate on both flanks and Spurs have shifted their attention after the pursuit of Porto defender Ricardo Pereira stalled over the complicated issue of third-party ownership and the baulking at the £20m fee.
And finally, according to the Independent, Arsenal midfielder Lack Wilshere wants to remain close to London if he moves on. The 25-year-old has been told he can leave the Emirates Stadium and has attracted interest from Europe. He would prefer a move to West Ham but Arsenal are demanding a fee in the region of £20m. The Hammers have yet to make a move for Wilshere, who spent last season on loan at Bournemouth.
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