Transfer Round-up: Newcastle finally close to completing first loan deal, Sunderland interested in Derby striker, Middlesbrough set for a glut of offers for midfielder

Newcastle’s pursuit of a first transfer of the January window could finally be coming to an end after a series of productive discussions with Chelsea over a loan deal for winger Kenedy.

Rafael Benitez has targeted Kenedy in each of the last two transfer windows, but while Newcastle were unable to complete a deal for the 21-year-old Brazilian in the summer, there is growing confidence of an agreement in the next few days.

Antonio Conte is willing to loan out Kenedy this month, but the Chelsea boss wants to have a midfield addition of his own in place before agreeing to a deal. He was also keen to keep the midfielder in his ranks so he could play him in last weekend’s FA Cup third-round tie with Norwich.

That game finished goalless, resulting in a replay next week, but Conte is understood to have made progress in his own transfer discussions, making an agreement with Newcastle much more likely.

Benitez has grown increasingly frustrated at Newcastle’s lack of transfer movement in the last week or so, and has also been linked with another young Chelsea midfielder, Charly Musonda, as well as Kenedy.

SUNDERLAND

Chris Coleman would like to make at least three more signings this month, with Derby’s Chris Martin having emerged as a possible loan target.

Coleman has already strengthened his defence with the addition of Chelsea youngster Jake Clarke-Salter, and the Sunderland boss is now turning his attention to his side’s attack.

Martin has made just five league starts this season, with Derby boss Gary Rowett preferring David Nugent, Matej Vydra and Sam Winnall, and the 29-year-old is expected to leave Pride Park this month.

Ideally, Derby would like to sell him, but with no firm offers on the table at the moment, the Rams will consider a loan deal.

A host of Championship clubs are likely to be interested, but Derby will be keener to allow Martin to join Sunderland than one of their promotion rivals at the top of the table.

Meanwhile, Sunderland have offered a trial to 18-year-old Bognor Regis midfielder Tommy Block, who was previously released by Brighton.

MIDDLESBROUGH

A host of Championship clubs remain interested in Adam Clayton – although Tony Pulis is yet to decide whether he wants to part with the midfielder this month.

Leeds United and Aston Villa have a long-standing interest in Clayton, and Nottingham Forest are also expected to join the fray now that former Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka has been appointed at the City Ground.

Cardiff City are also understood to have expressed an interest in the 28-year-old, who has not started any of the three games since Pulis took over from Garry Monk.

Pulis recently claimed he had not frozen Clayton or Adam Forshaw out of his plans, but the new Boro boss is keen to reduce the size of his squad this month, and has so far only brought Connor Roberts’ loan move from Swansea City to a premature end.

It remains to be seen whether Pulis opts to make signings of his own this month, but the Teessiders have been linked with a possible move for Ghana international Edwin Gyasi.

Gyasi, a 26-year-old winger, is currently playing for Norwegian side Aalesunds FK, and is valued at around €700,000.

OTHER CLUBS

Everton will battle Southampton to sign Arsenal's Theo Walcott, according to the Daily Mail. The paper says the Gunners may consider letting the England forward leave this month, while Everton are confident they can beat the Saints to the 28-year-old's signature.

Tottenham have started new contract talks with Dele Alli amid interest from Europe, the Mirror reports. The paper says Spurs are confident the 21-year-old will sign a new deal, with informal discussions having already taken place, despite transfer links with Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.

Arsene Wenger is eyeing up Bordeaux's 20-year-old Brazilian star Malcom as a potential replacement to Alexis Sanchez, with Arsenal having already started talks with the Ligue 1 club according to the Mirror.

Manchester City have reportedly held talks with West Brom about signing defender Jonny Evans. According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal are also interested in the 30-year-old, but know they would not be able to match any offer City make to Evans.

Martin O'Neill could be in the frame for the vacant Stoke job and was set to meet with club officials, according to the Irish Independent. The paper says O'Neill is in pole position to succeed Mark Hughes, with the club keen to have a new man in place for Monday's meeting with Manchester United. The Daily Mail reports that their search could also include Espanyol boss Quique Sanchez Flores.