Transfer Round-Up: Sunderland player heading to Holland, Newcastle NOT interested in Wijnaldum, Boro will have to pay £7m for Besic

Sunderland goalkeeper Michael Woud is set to join Dutch side Willem II, with a deal expected to be completed in the next couple of days.

Woud, a 19-year-old New Zealand international, is keen to leave Sunderland’s academy set-up in order to secure senior football elsewhere.

A number of clubs have inquired about his services, but Willem II, who play in the Dutch Eredivisie, have agreed terms for his transfer.

Sunderland will receive a fee for the teenager, who had been behind Jon McLaughlin, Robbin Ruiter and Max Stryjek in the goalkeeping pecking order. Woud made his senior New Zealand debut last month.

It has been a summer of change in Sunderland’s goalkeeping department, with Jason Steele having joined Brighton and McLaughlin having arrived after turning down the offer of a new deal at Hearts.

Sunderland are also considering adding former Manchester United youngster Max Johnstone to their youth ranks, with the 19-year-old shot-stopper having played for 45 minutes of the Under-23s’ 4-2 win over Sunderland RCA on Thursday night.

Meanwhile, a number of other players are edging towards the Stadium of Light exit door, although deals are proving difficult to conclude.

Wahbi Khazri should still complete a move to St Etienne, even though the French club have so far been unable to agree personal terms with his representatives.

However, Lamine Kone’s proposed move to another French club, Strasbourg, is hanging in the balance, with financial issues presenting a major obstacle.

NEWCASTLE

Newcastle will not be re-signing their former midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, despite a number of reports yesterday suggesting they were interested in the Dutchman.

The stories claimed that Newcastle officials were ready to make a formal approach to Anfield in an attempt to re-sign Wijnaldum, who left St James’ Park in the wake of the Magpies’ relegation two years ago.

However, senior sources on Tyneside claim that is not the case, and insist Rafael Benitez has no interest in a move for Wijnaldum.

Midfield is not currently a priority position for Newcastle, with Ki Sung-yueng’s arrival having helped to plug the gap that was created by Mikel Merino’s move to Real Sociedad.

Benitez’s current priorities are a new centre-forward and a winger, with Salomon Rondon and Andros Townsend continuing to figure prominently on his wanted list.

Rondon has a £16.5m relegation release clause in his contract at the Hawthrons, but his personal demands are currently higher than Newcastle would be willing to pay.

Townsend is likely to cost more than £20m, but the Magpies could help fund a move by agreeing to the sale of Matt Ritchie. The Scotsman, who is valued at around £15m, is the subject of strong interest from Stoke City.

Meanwhile, Jack Colback is close to re-joining Nottingham Forest on a permanent basis, having spent the second half of last season on loan at the City Ground.

MIDDLESBROUGH

Everton are set to demand £7m for midfielder Mo Besic, with Middlesbrough interested in a permanent deal for the Bosnian.

Besic spent the second half of last season on loan at the Riverside, and his performances at the heart of midfield were a key factor in Boro’s run to the play-off semi-finals.

The 25-year-old has started pre-season training with Everton, but with Marco Silva having to create some space in the squad for his own additions, Besic has been deemed surplus to requirements.

Boro are aware of the situation, with Everton willing to sell Besic for around £7m, having paid £4m to sign him in the summer of 2014.

The midfielder has entered the final year of his contract at Goodison Park, so it remains to be seen whether Boro will be willing to meet Everton’s asking price.

Adama Traore continues to be the subject of considerable interest, with media outlets in the Midlands claiming Wolves are preparing a formal offer.

The presence of a buyout clause in Traore’s Middlesbrough contract could make it difficult for the Teessiders to hold on to him, although it is understood that the size of the buyout figure could vary depending on what type of club comes in for him.