MIDDLESBROUGH

Leeds United have had a £6m bid for Boro striker Rudy Gestede rejected.

The Elland Road club have moved quickly to target potential replacements for Chris Wood following his £15m switch to Burnley.

And they have made the offer for Gestede today – only to learn Middlesbrough are not in the mood to do business for a player who they paid £6m in January for.

Middlesbrough are pressing ahead with their own recruitment plans and hope to have Birmingham’s Ryan Shotton in after tomorrow’s game with Scunthorpe in the Carabao Cup. The £2.5m agreed deal is just waiting for Birmingham to give the transfer the go-ahead.

Middlesbrough continue to show an interest in Liverpool winger Ryan Kent following the breakdown of Sheyi Ojo’s proposed move to the Riverside on loan.

SUNDERLAND

Simon Grayson is keeping his fingers crossed that deals for his three main transfer targets will come off before the end of the window.

The Sunderland boss wants Rob Snodgrass, Ross McCormack and Grant Leadbitter – three players who will bring with them plenty of experience and ability.

The deals hinge on West Ham, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough all agreeing to do deals Sunderland can afford; with the latter two clubs also aware they would be offloading to a Championship rival.

There is big interest in all three from the same division, but it will boil down to who can afford to pay the most. In Leadbitter’s case, though, Middlesbrough are reluctant to sell.

NEWCASTLE

Rafa Benitez knows he wants more players and he is having to wait for the boardroom to get things done.

He talked about the momentum from promotion disappearing quickly after losing to Huddersfield on Sunday and for that to receive a boost he could do with a player or three arriving soon.

Sampdoria midfielder Dennis Praet is the latest to have been linked after he was watched on Sunday. There has been talk of a £12.8m bid being lodged from Tyneside, although that would seem fanciful when they refused to give Arsenal £13.4m for Lucas Perez.

Benitez, whose side face Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, will be talking with managing director Lee Charnley to hear if any progress has been made. He needs players to leave too, with many on hefty contracts.

ACCORDING TO REPORTS …

Barcelona are set to pay the £36m release clause of Nice midfielder Jean Michael Seri.

Leicester are chasing Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend, with Oliver Burke a target replacement for the Eagles.

Watford boss Marco Silva is closing on the loan signing of Benfica forward Andre Carrillo.

Tottenham are back in talks with Estudiantes for defender Juan Foyth.

Manchester City's Samir Nasri flew to Turkey on Sunday and is expected to join Antalyaspor.

Swansea hope to snap up Colombian right-back Santiago Arias from PSV.

West Brom are eyeing an £18m move for Tottenham defender Kevin Wimmer.