SUNDERLAND

After finally leaving the Stadium of Light it seems Jack Rodwell has alternative options to disappearing to the MLS.

Trying to revive his struggling career in the United States is still the likeliest option after agreeing a deal to have his deal on Wearside ended, but there are Championship clubs keen to sign him.

The 27-year-old has learned Bolton manager Phil Parkinson is keen to take him back to the North-West, where he played for Everton and Manchester City.

The fact he was born and raised in Southport could also help as he looks to find his feet on a football field again after spending too long in the wilderness.

Rodwell has also been linked with Sheffield Wednesday among others, having decided now was the best time to leave Sunderland after the club had made it clear they no longer wanted his hefty Premier League wage on their books.

Sunderland have missed out on signing St Mirren striker Gavin Reilly. He had been regularly mentioned as a Jack Ross target but Reilly has signed a deal with Bristol Rovers.

Tunisian winger Wahbi Khazri, meanwhile, is still wanted by Rennes, who feel that he is closer to a move to St Etienne.

NEWCASTLE

Rafa Benitez is keen to hear of progress in his pursuit of attacking reinforcements before sanctioning the sale of Matt Ritchie to Stoke City.

It has been reported that Ritchie has agreed terms in principle on a contract with the Potters, but Newcastle are yet to give the go-ahead for a £15m deal.

Stoke are looking to do business for around the £12m mark and Newcastle are keen to get as much as they can for him as they look to bring Kenedy back to St James’ Park – and others.

Ritchie, 28, has been a key player during his time on Tyneside but at the age he is then they are unlikely to be able to bring in more money by selling him at a later date.

Benitez is looking to bring in a couple of strikers too and Danish forward Nicolai Jorgensen remains on the radar. He was a target in January but the Feyenoord man stayed put and now there is also interest from Fenerbahce.

The Magpies have been reluctant so far to match the £27m asking price from Nice for Alassane Plea, although they do know they can have West Brom’s Salomon Rondon for considerably less if they pay the £16.5m release clause.

Steven Gerrard is understood to be closing in on former Newcastle winger Alex Gillead following his release from St James’ Park. The 22-year-old was not offered a contract on Tyneside so the Gers will not have to pay compensation for the free agent.

MIDDLESBROUGH

Tony Pulis is keen on making another signing from Bristol City, although he might be priced out of a deal for defender Joe Bryan.

Leeds are also keen but the Robins, who have already sold Aden Flint to Boro, have put a £10m asking price out so a deal will not be cheap for a Championship defender.

The 24-year-old is an exciting full-back and Burnley had a £6m offer rejected at the start of the summer. The opportunity to move to the Premier League would clearly be more tempting but it could well boil down to who offers the £10m.

Middlesbrough will have to get used to growing interest in Adama Traore this summer. It has been claimed there is a release clause in his contract – with reports suggesting £18m – and that has coincided with claims Huddersfield and Wolves have now joined the chase for his signature.

OTHER CLUBS …

Steven N'Zonzi has told his Sevilla team-mates he wants to leave and return to England, with Arsenal leading the race for his signature.

Heung-Min Son is likely to miss the start of the season as Tottenham are set to give him permission to play in the Asian Games with South Korea.

Joe Hart has been told to return to Manchester City for pre-season training on Monday with his future still up in the air.

Manchester United can still hijack Cristiano Ronaldo's proposed £88m move to Juventus.

Luke Shaw has returned to Manchester United early to train alone as bids to revive his Old Trafford career.

Chelsea are in talks to sign CSKA Moscow midfielder Aleksandr Golovin, Juventus defender Daniele Rugani and Roma goalkeeper Alisson Becker.

Chelsea are willing to sell Willian to Barcelona to help fund their summer transfer business.

Everton are close to signing Rennes defender Ramy Bensebaini in a deal worth more than £13m.