The transfer window closes next Tuesday, with the North-East’s three biggest clubs all expected to be involved in some hectic late action. How has their January business gone so far? And what might still be to come?


MIDDLESBROUGH

When this month’s transfer window opened, it did not look like being a transformative period at the Riverside. By the time it closes, however, Middlesbrough could have sold or loaned four or five senior players and brought in as many again. Whether the squad is better or worse for those changes remains to be seen.

The confirmed departures so far are hardly a surprise. David Nugent and Emilio Nsue were remnants of last season’s promotion-winning squad that were never likely to fit into Aitor Karanka’s Premier League plans, and the same can be said of Jordan Rhodes and Stewart Downing, who are also expected to leave in the next few days. Both exits are likely to be on loan, although Karanka in particular would be receptive to permanent deals.

Gaston Ramirez has been the wildcard of the window, with his determination to push through a move to Leicester catching the Boro hierarchy somewhat on the hop. Karanka initially did not want to lose Ramirez, but the player’s hardline stance has changed things. It is now all but impossible to see the Uruguayan remaining on Teesside.

As a result, Boro’s recruitment plans have had to change. Rudy Gestede was signed as an upgrade on Nugent, while Patrick Bamford is regarded as a better, more versatile option than Rhodes. Whatever has happened in the last couple of seasons, Karanka remains convinced he can get the best out of Bamford.

The Northern Echo:

Had Ramirez not rocked the boat, Boro might have been looking for one more attacking midfielder. Now, they ideally want to recruit two.

Talks over Robert Snodgrass are furthest advanced, but while Hull are happy with the financial package Boro have placed on the table, they do not want to sell to a direct relegation rival. When the window first opened, it was felt Snodgrass would probably end up at West Ham. While Boro and Burnley continue to push for a deal, the wise money would still be on the midfielder ending up at the London Stadium.

Karanka would love to sign Bojan Krkic, but Stoke chairman Peter Coates likes to drive a hard bargain and is insisting on some cast-iron guarantees within any prospective loan deal. At this stage, Boro regard a possible £12m permanent deal as too expensive.

Might Paris St Germain’s Jese Rodriguez be a viable alternative? It is looking increasingly likely. The Spaniard will leave Paris this month, but while he would prefer to return to La Liga with Las Palmas, his employers are pushing him towards Teesside because Boro are offering a much better deal.

Signing Jese on a season-long loan would make it much easier to accept a Leicester offer for Ramirez. The South American will not be going anywhere if he cannot be replaced, but trying to repair a relationship that has broken down completely would not be a straight-forward task.

JANUARY INS:

Rudy Gestede (from Aston Villa, £6m), Patrick Bamford (from Chelsea, £6m)

JANUARY OUTS:

Tomas Mejias (to Rayo Vallecano, loan), Julien de Sart (to Derby, loan), David Nugent (to Derby, £2.5m), Emilio Nsue (to Birmingham, £2m), Jonathan Burn (to Bristol Rovers, free)


SUNDERLAND

The die for Sunderland’s transfer window was cast when Martin Bain put his head above the parapet in December to admit there would only be “very limited funds” for squad strengthening. Nevertheless, it has still proved to be a tortuous month for David Moyes and his recruitment staff.

The bad news has kept on coming in the last four weeks – injuries to Jordan Pickford and Victor Anichebe, departures to the Africa Cup of Nations, a lengthy suspension for Papy Djilobodji – and results have taken Sunderland back to the foot of the table. Amid that backdrop, it is little wonder Moyes is willing to consider any deal that is put on the table.

In terms of incomings, that has meant a short-term contract for Joleon Lescott, with the potential for a similar deal for Robbie Keane. Beggars can’t be choosers when money is practically non-existent, and Moyes deserves credit for being prepared to pursue every available avenue.

Things would be easier if there were funds in the bank, although for every piece that is taken out of the current squad, a potential new problem is created. Moyes will be wrestling with that equation right up to Tuesday’s 11pm deadline.

Patrick van Aanholt will be sacrificed in a £12m move to Crystal Palace, and while a replacement left-back will have to be secured, the Dutchman’s departure could create some extra wriggle room. Robbie Brady was Moyes’ preferred option on the left-hand side, but the Irishman has ruled out a move to a side mired in relegation difficulties.

The Northern Echo:

Nedum Onuoha and Bryan Oviedo have been mentioned as cut-price defensive targets, with Arouna Kone and Charlie Adam representing affordable attacking options further up the field. By the end of Tuesday night, Moyes knows he needs some extra options in his squad.

How far should he go to get them? Selling Lamine Kone for £20m would make a lot of sense, even if it caused further damage to an already-fragile defence. Kone has not been the same player since he was prevented from joining Everton in the summer, and this could well be the time to cash in.

Jermain Defoe, though, surely has to remain off limits. It would not be a surprise if a number of Premier League clubs made a last-ditch approach for the 34-year-old, and while it was easy to dismiss West Ham’s £6m bid as derisory, it would be harder to turn down an offer of double that size.

Sunderland have to stand firm. Lose Defoe, and whoever they are able to bring in, any hope of another Great Escape disappears with him. If the Black Cats sell their leading scorer this month, they will effectively be starting their preparations for life in the Championship.

JANUARY INS:

Joleon Lescott (unattached, free)

JANUARY OUTS:

None


NEWCASTLE

Ensconced in the top two of the Championship, this was never going to be a month of manic action at Newcastle. That said, however, the club’s failure to push through anything has become a source of minor concern. Mike Ashley’s re-emergence, which caused a flutter of panic a couple of weeks ago, remains troubling.

Is Ashley’s reassertion of his transfer policy the reason for Newcastle’s failure to get anything ‘over the line’? Not really. Ashley’s flexing of his muscles was more a precursor to the major business that will be required in the summer if the Magpies win promotion. For all that things are fairly calm at the moment, there is the potential for major conflict there.

The current difficulties highlight the way in which Rafael Benitez and Lee Charnley are trying to spin two plates. There are short-term issues that could do with being addressed, but there is no point filling the squad with players that would have to be jettisoned in the top-flight.

Hence the ongoing interest in Premier League loans, even if they are proving difficult to pull off. Benitez would like to sign a central midfielder and a wide player this month, but players who might be viable propositions in the long term are understandably reluctant to drop into the Championship at the moment.

Jonjo Shelvey’s suspension highlighted Newcastle’s lack of central-midfield options, and the numbers in that area will be depleted further if, as expected, Cheick Tiote finally severs his ties in the next few days.

Newcastle wanted Tom Cleverley; he moved to Watford. There were inquiries about Fabian Delph and James McCarthy; neither player is particularly keen on the second tier. As things stand, it may be that the central-midfield gap remains unplugged.

The pursuit of a wide player took an interesting twist when Sam Allardyce hinted Andros Townsend was surplus to requirements at Selhurst Park, with Benitez still a strong admirer of his former winger. Newcastle would like a loan, Crystal Palace would rather sell, or at the very minimum have cast-iron guarantees of a permanent deal in the summer. An agreement remains elusive.

The Northern Echo:

That led to the Magpies looking at Modou Barrow, but again a loan agreement is not without its problems. Newcastle see Barrow as a short-term solution to a short-term issue; Swansea are demanding more of a longer-term deal.

There is still a chance new targets could emerge over the weekend, but while Benitez continues to insist he needs reinforcements, Newcastle’s seven-point gap to the play-off places – with a game in hand over third-placed Leeds – makes it harder for him to argue that the season could be determined by what happens in the next four days.

JANUARY INS:

None

JANUARY OUTS:

Freddie Woodman (Kilmarnock, loan), Callum Roberts (Kilmarnock, loan), Sean Longstaff (Kilmarnock, loan), Alex Gilliead (Bradford, loan)