SUNDERLAND

Chris Coleman is running out of time to add to his squad before Saturday’s visit of fellow Championship strugglers Hull City – but hopes are high he can pull off deals for a couple of forwards.

While it has emerged the Black Cats have contacted Manchester City over the availability of young Nigerian striker Lukas Nmecha, they are closer to reaching an agreement with Liverpool for Ben Woodburn and Burnley for Jon Walters.

The problem Coleman has is that neither look like being completed in time to face the Tigers and that means having to rely on teenage forwards Josh Maja and Joel Asoro once more.

Woodburn has been on the agenda since Coleman took over in November, although Liverpool have been holding off to see what other offers have come in for the teenager given Sunderland’ position at the foot of the Championship.

Walters would be too expensive ordinarily but a loan agreement until the end of the season works, while Manchester City are considering the proposal for Nmecha.

The 19-year-old made his City debut in the quarter-final of the League Cup against Leicester City and was offered a new three-year contract at the Etihad last week.

Celtic, meanwhile, are among the clubs being linked with an interest in Sunderland midfielder Jack Rodwell.

MIDDLESBROUGH

Sources close to Bournemouth insist Middlesbrough are in the mix to sign former Sunderland striker Lewis Grabban.

Despite having a glut of forwards already at the club, Grabban is understood to be on the Boro radar as Tony Pulis considers ways of tinkering with his squad.

Cardiff, Fulham, Aston Villa and Bristol City are all interested in the 29-year-old, while Middlesbrough would be looking to offload the likes of Patrick Bamford and Ashley Fletcher if a deal was on the cards.

Middlesbrough have also renewed their interest in Liverpool’s young midfielder Marko Grujic. The Serbian international has found it tough to get in the Reds team this season and is available for loan.

The 21-year-old is one of a number of players under consideration by Pulis, although he is still looking to move players on first. Adam Forshaw is one of the likeliest contenders to leave and Leeds United are looking to snap him up.

NEWCASTLE

Now what for Newcastle United? Mike Ashley has pulled the plug on Amanda Staveley’s attempts to buy the club, so Rafa Benitez now gets money to spend this month, right?

Don’t bank on it. Benitez will be pressing for the news that he has some cash available for investment in his squad and the timing of the announcement from Ashley suggests he might be willing to give him something.

He needs it. It is still expected that loan signings are more likely, with Chelsea’s Kenedy and a new goalkeeper the likeliest arrivals before the end of the month; once Antonio Conte has brought in a replacement for Kenedy.

But Benitez still expects money to pay out on transfer fees given the profit he feels he has made in previous windows. That profit could increase even further if Fulham step up their interest in Dwight Gayle.

The former Crystal Palace striker has been wanted at Craven Cottage since last summer but they were put off by a £20m asking price. Such talk has resurfaced, with Gayle known to be on Fulham’s radar as well as Bournemouth’s Grabban.

Intriguingly Newcastle have always been interested in Fulham midfielder Tom Cairney and they are considering cashing in this month after West Brom’s £15m offer. Newcastle could still use Gayle if they decide to return with an offer for Cairney.

OTHER CLUBS …

Arsenal target Malcom could be off to Liverpool, according to Bordeaux manager Jocelyn Gourvennec.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is pleading with Borussia Dortmund to let him complete a transfer to Arsenal.

Chelsea are chasing the signature of Roma defender Emerson Palmieri.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan is nearing a move to Arsenal in a swap deal with Alexis Sanchez after accepting he has no future at Manchester United.

Theo Walcott will complete his move from Arsenal to Everton on Wednesday after passing medical at Finch Farm.

Simon Mignolet has admitted he must consider his Liverpool future after being dropped for Sunday's win over Manchester City.