Transfer round-up: Boro land Chelsea's Lewis Baker on two-year deal, Sunderland target Leadbitter and Newcastle tee up deal for Brazilian midfielder

Chelsea midfielder Lewis Baker should complete a two-year loan move to Middlesbrough in the next 24 hours, and could even be considered for the visit of Sheffield United.

The 22-year-old has also been wanted by Reading and Birmingham, while John Terry has moved in late to try to persuade him to head to Aston Villa.

But Middlesbrough believe they have secured his signature on a two-year deal, with Baker insistent that is what he wanted having seen previous Chelsea players succeed that way.

The midfielder, who likes to play behind the forwards, looks certain to replace Dutchman Marten de Roon in the Boro squad.

De Roon, pictured above, is on the verge of a return to Italian side Atalanta, just a year after leaving the Serie A club behind in a 10m euros deal.

Middlesbrough have accepted an offer worth in the region of 15m euros from Atalanta for the 26-year-old and is now just expected for a medical and to complete the formalities.

Middlesbrough are also still in the market for Liverpool winger Sheyi Ojo and Birmingham defender Ryan Shotton.

SUNDERLAND

Simon Grayson hopes Middlesbrough’s sale of Marten de Roon will not affect his own recruitment push as he looks to land a player from the Riverside.

Boro midfielder Grant Leadbitter was an unused substitute at Wolves last weekend and Sunderland are interested in taking him back to the club where it all began.

Leadbitter, pictured above, only has a year remaining on his contract at Middlesbrough and Garry Monk is looking to take his squad in a more youthful direction.

The Middlesbrough hierarchy are still keen to keep the 31-year-old because of how important he has become to the group of players – and he knows exactly how to attack the Championship.

But Sunderland are keeping tabs on his situation and Grayson would love to have him on board to compete with Lee Cattermole, Didier Ndong and Darron Gibson for a midfield spot.

NEWCASTLE

Rafael Benitez is closer to adding to his squad – even if it is not with the calibre of player he had been hoping for.

While he waits for movement away from St James’ Park to boost his own spending power in the pursuit of Arsenal’s Lucas Perez, the Magpies are close to pulling off a loan deal for Chelsea youngster Kenedy.

Blues boss Antonio Conte is happy to let the 21-year-old leave after infuriating him and the club with a couple of ill-advised social media posts during the pre-season trip to China.

WANTED: Kenedy looks set to join Newcastle

Now Newcastle, who have already tried unsuccessfully to lure Tammy Abraham from Chelsea this summer, have moved in and have got a deal in principle in place.

The Brazilian is an attacking midfielder who should be able to provide a different option in the final third, even though he has not played that much in the Premier League.

He has plenty of ability and Benitez, using his contacts at Stamford Bridge from his time there, clearly feels he can get the best out of him this season.

Benitez still hopes to sell players soon so that he can make a concerted effort to land Perez from the Gunners. Deportivo la Coruna have made a new approach for the forward, but Arsenal are still seeking £13.4m for him.

Newcastle can pay that sort of figure, but Benitez has been told he needs to offload players first before he can commit another substantial contract to the wage bill.

Midfielder Jack Colback could be one of those who leaves. Benitez is pondering leaving the 27-year-old out of his Premier League squad and Aston Villa are keen.

ACCORDING TO REPORTS …

Tottenham have targeted Ajax's £35m-rated Colombia defender Davinson Sanchez as their first summer signing.

Monaco are chasing AC Milan striker Carlos Bacca as they face up to the realisation that Kylian Mbappe could quit the club and join rivals Paris Saint-Germain.

Chelsea are ready to up their offer to Arsenal for England international Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to £35m.

Barcelona are set to sign Colombia international defender Yerry Mina from Palmeiras for a fee of £8.1m.

West Ham are preparing a £25m bid for Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho, previously linked with the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City.

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has ordered the club's board to sign Barcelona midfielder Sergi Roberto as he looks to increase his squad's depth.

Barcelona are ready and willing to pay the £72m release clause in Real Madrid midfielder Marco Asensio's contract.