NEWCASTLE

There appears to have been little progress so far in the Magpies’ pursuit of players, with Rafa Benitez still hoping for early breakthroughs to hearten his postion under Mike Ashley’s rule.

And it has emerged Newcastle have stepped up their interest in the Cape Verde international, who has regularly been linked with a move to St James’ Park over the last year or so.

Rodrigues is valued at around the £18m mark by his club, Galatasaray, and there is no rush to sell him unless, according to reports, UEFA force their hand when they decide what action to take over Financial Fair Play.

Galatasaray are expecting sanctions from UEFA and then that will mean the likes of Rodrigues could be moved on, with Newcastle waiting in the wings.

He is not the only target from Turkey. Oguzhan Ozyakup intends to leave Besiktas this summer and Newcastle are showing the most interest, along with Everton.

The 25-year-old is believed to have been the subject of an offer from Newcastle over the weekend. It is complicated by the fact his contract is due to run out at the end of this month, but is set to sign a new deal before moving on, bizarrely.

French midfielder Henri Saivet, meanwhile, is looking for a move away from St James’ again.

SUNDERLAND

Jack Ross might be looking at a variety of potential targets to bring in, but the majority of talk is centred on possible sales this morning.

Wahbi Khazri and Paddy McNair are two of the most prominent and more about those in a moment, while Papy Djilobodji could find it harder to move on than most.

Reports in France have suggested that Djilobodji’s weekly wage, of around the £40,000-a-week mark, will make it difficult for him to make a permanent move to Dijon.

The former Chelsea defender spent last season on loan at the club but the only way he will end up there is if it is a further loan and that Sunderland pay a large portion of his salary.

Djilobodji is said to be reluctant to head back to France, while Sunderland’s Wahbi Khazri is also putting talk of a permanent move to Rennes on hold until after the World Cup.

Rennes have been quoted a £5m asking price for the Tunisian, but he is aware of interest from elsewhere so is prepared to wait before making a decision. He has already had a request for a free transfer waved away.

Reading are preparing to increase their initially offer for Paddy McNair to £5m.

MIDDLESBROUGH

The future of Ben Gibson was always going to be a hot topic this summer following Boro’s failure to return to the Premier League – and that is certainly shaping up to be the case.

Southampton’s pursuit of the 25-year-old is ongoing and Everton’s interest in Jamaal Lascelles looks sure to make it an interesting transfer tussle between the four clubs.

Neither Middlesbrough nor Newcastle want to sell Gibson nor Lascelles, but Everton have plenty money to spend following the appointment of Marco Silva and it could well be a case of who blinks first.

Middlesbrough are also being heavily linked with FC Zurich striker Michael Frey again, having watched him in the Swiss Cup final and he is rated at around £2m.

OTHER CLUBS …

Arsenal have moved to sign Marouane Fellaini and will hold talks with the midfielder on Wednesday.

Everton have agreed terms with DC United over the transfer of Wayne Rooney.

New Swansea manager Graham Potter will target moves for Ostersunds pair Saman Ghoddos and Ken Sema.

Sokratis Papastathopoulos has rejected Manchester United to sign for Arsenal, according to his dad.

Manchester United are expected to complete the signings of Fred and Diego Dalot before the end of the week.

Leicester City have revived their bid to sign Manchester City attacker Patrick Roberts as part of the Riyad Mahrez deal.

Stoke manager Gary Rowett wants to sign £12m Wolves' Benik Afobe and James McClean over Cardiff.