ALL the latest transfer talk from the North-East and beyond …

NEWCASTLE

Nicolai Jorgensen is back on the Magpies’ agenda – even more so after it emerged his price has fallen.

The Denmark striker, whose World Cup exploits came to an end in the second round, was the subject of an £18m offer from Newcastle in January which was rejected.

Since then he has struggled for club and country and Feyenoord accept now that his valuation has dropped, which has alerted Rafa Benitez again.

Benitez has a number of striker options including Alassane Plea and Salomon Rondon but Newcastle now know a fresh £18m offer is likely to seal Jorgensen.

Feyenoord are happy to sell this summer and the player would still be interested in joining Newcastle.

It has emerged Newcastle have rejected Stoke City’s £15m offer for winger Matt Ritchie because of the need to land a replacement first, they are prepared to hand him a £4m-a-year deal.

The deal could still happen in the weeks ahead but a lot will depend on who he brings in, with Kenedy still highest in Benitez’s thinking.

MIDDLESBROUGH

There has been reports of a bust-up between Britt Assombalonga and Tony Pulis during the training camp in Austria this week.

Boro are set to face Sturm Graz tonight and it will be interesting to see whether Assombalonga figures following the claims which the club have not commented on.

Assombalonga struggled to get a good run in the Middlesbrough team under Pulis until Patrick Bamford suffered injury during last season’s run-in.

Nottingham Forest and Birmingham City have both been credited with an interest in the £14m signing last summer, although neither would be looking to pay that sort of figure which could cause problems.

Middlesbrough have once again been linked with a move for James Morrison.

He has been under serious consideration by Pulis because he enjoyed working with him at West Brom.

The former Boro player is now a free agent, even though he is still training with the Baggies, as he looks to prove his fitness after missing the bulk of last season through injury.

SUNDERLAND

Wigan are pushing to take Callum McManaman back to the DW Stadium, even if Latics boss Paul Cook is not admitting it just yet.

Wigan are looking to make additions following promotion to the Premier League and swapping places with the Black Cats in League One.

Cook wants McManaman back in Lancashire, where he remains well liked by the club’s supporters along with former Middlesbrough winger Yanic Wildschut.

Cook said: “Our fans will appreciate we want to make them happy, and make signings that are going to excite us all. As a manager, it’s pointless to just be bringing in five players saying ‘we’re all right’.

“The lads you’ve spoken about there (Wildschut and McManaman), are both still held in very high regard here in Wigan. Are we after them? We’re after all good players.

“Can we get them over the line? That remains to be seen. But we’ll certainly be doing our best to make our fans happy.”

Sunderland are looking to move on plenty other players too, particularly those who have not gone to Portugal. One of those is Wahbi Khazri who is wanted by St Etienne and Rennes, while it has been claimed there is also interest from the Championship now too.

OTHER CLUBS …

Antonio Conte is set for the Chelsea exit before the players report back for pre-season training at the weekend.

Loris Karius is to remain Liverpool's No 1 after the club were priced out of deals for Alisson and Jan Oblak.

Manchester United want Xherdan Shaqiri as Jose Mourinho considers a £12m deal for the Stoke winger.

Chelsea are willing to trade Willian with Manchester United for Anthony Martial.

Brighton are making a shock move to buy former England keeper Scott Carson from Derby.

Jack Butland will be offered a staggering £20,000-per-week pay rise to fend off interest from Chelsea.

Watford have agreed a £4m fee with West Brom for goalkeeper Ben Foster.