All the latest transfer talk from around the North-East and beyond ...

SUNDERLAND

Former Hartlepool defender Jack Baldwin is on his way back to the North-East.

Baldwin has been a target of for the Black Cats since Jack Ross arrived but the two clubs were some way apart over a fee.

But Sunderland have agreed a deal with Posh that means he is now on Wearside today to undergo a medical ahead of completing a deal.

The 25-year-old is also wanted by Sheffield Wednesday but Baldwin looks set for a Sunderland switch and he could partner former Owls defender Glenn Loovens at the heart of the defence.

Sunderland are still looking to add a striker to their ranks and have tabled numerous bids in the hope of striking a deal for one of their attacking targets.

Bradford’s Charlie Wyke is one they would still love but they are finding it hard to do business after having a few offers knocked back by the Bantams.

MIDDLESBROUGH

Manchester United’s bid to land England World Cup defender Harry Maguire looks like impacting on Boro.

Leicester City are turning to Ben Gibson to replace Maguire at the King Power Stadium.

The Foxes stand to net around £65m if Maguire leaves before the transfer window closes and are ready to use a chunk of that on the Middlesbrough centre-back.

Leicester are believed to be going to offer around £13m and Middlesbrouigh will be looking for more, knowing there has also been interest from the likes fo Everton and Southampton.

Pulis – who is aware of Leeds being in for Patrick Bamford - has been credited with an interest in signing West Brom goalkeeper Boaz Myhill.

The 35-year-old is a free agent but is still training with the Baggies and that has promoted the link with Boro and his former boss.

Opting for Myhill would mean Middlesbrough increasing their goalkeeper options because Darren Randolph already has back up from Dimi Konstantopoulos and Connor Ripley.

NEWCASTLE

Newcastle are on the verge of completing a deal for Japanese striker Yoshinori Muto after landing defender Fabian Schar.

The Magpies, who secured the signing of Swiss defender Schar on Thursday, are desperate to add a striker or two to their ranks but have struggled to get deals over the line because of an unwillingness to pay more than they want to.

That has left Rafa Benitez frustrated but it now seems like he will at least get a new forward in after making progress in a pursuit of Muto.

Mainz sporting director Rouven Schroder admitted Newcastle have been in talks over signing the 26-year-old forward – and a £9.5m switch is near.

“We are holding constructive talks with Newcastle United and have basically come to an agreement. There are still a few important details to clear up, but we are confident that we will reach a final decision on a transfer soon,” said Schröder on Mainz’s official club website.

Muto has been given permission to head to Tyneside for talks and a medical.

Newcastle will now look to get the deal done with Fulham to offload Aleksandar Mitrovic in a £20m deal, and Muto will effectively replace him.

Benitez has also allowed goalkeeper Matz Sels to leave. He has completed a £3.6m move to Strasbourg after a frustrating couple of years on Tyneside.

OTHER CLUBS ….

Chelsea are ready to step up their chase for Bayer Leverkusen's £40m-rated winger Leon Bailey, but face competition from Arsenal and Roma

Derby are set to sell Matej Vydra to Leeds for £11m so as they can free up funds to sign Ipswich forward Martyn Waghorn.

Chelsea officials have travelled to Italy to meet their Juventus counterparts and try to seal a deal for £40m-rated defender Daniele Rugani.

West Ham have held talks about signing £22m-rated striker Moussa Marega from Porto, who may try to sign Cheikhou Kouyate in return.

Aston Villa have rejected Stoke's £10m bid for captain James Chester and warned he is not for sale.

Arsenal have been handed a transfer blow as European giants Barcelona have entered the race for £40m target Steven N'Zonzi.

Fulham are ready to make Bournemouth midfielder Harry Arter their latest summer signing.