SUNDERLAND

Chris Coleman is in desperate need of adding firepower to his Sunderland ranks and he hopes to bring Tom Bradshaw in from Barnsley.

The problem Coleman faces is that the forward still has 18 months remaining on his contract at Oakwell and there is also interest from elsewhere in the Championship. Ipswich and QPR are two of those keen.

The 25-year-old was handed his Wales debut by Coleman in 2016 against Ukraine and would add a much-needed alternative to teenagers Joel Asoro and Josh Maja after the departures of James Vaughan and Lewis Grabban.

Bradshaw moved to Barnsley after scoring 40 goals in 86 appearances for Walsall; he has scored 19 in 76 for the Tykes.

Coleman could be set to lose another player from his ranks this week, although he has barely figured. Brendan Galloway, on a season long loan from Everton, is expected to return this month with Sam Allardyce keen to see him play more.

Galloway has only appeared twice as a substitute under Coleman and only played eight times all season for Sunderland’s first team.

MIDDLESBROUGH

After Saturday’s frustrating defeat to Fulham at the Riverside, Boro boss Tony Pulis is being linked with a new midfielder.

Despite being midfielder heavy in his squad, Hibernian’s John McGinn is being strongly mentioned with a possible move to Teesside.

It is unlikely Pulis would agree to pay the £5m being demanded from Hibs manager Neil Lennon. The Edinburgh club have already rejected offers in the region of £1.9m.

Middlesbrough’s need for different midfield options could change if players move on. There is fresh talk of Aitor Karanka readying a move on his old club.

Adam Clayton or Adam Forshaw would seem the likeliest, even though the former emerged from the bench against Fulham. Karanka would love to have Grant Leadbitter and that could be more difficult to do.

Leadbitter has entered the final six months of his contract and being used by Pulis. The 32-year-old, however, has been heavily linked with Forest in the past and Karanka’s appointment has strengthened their interest.

Lewis Baker, meanwhile, is expected to return to Chelsea early from his loan and that has alerted Celtic. The 22-year-old has featured 12 times and scored two but not featured since September.

NEWCASTLE

Magpies fans must feel like they have been here before … that’s because they have.

Just like in the summer when Newcastle felt like they had struck a deal for Chelsea youngster Kenedy only for it to fall through, the situation seems to be repeating itself.

Antonio Conte, the Blues boss, is reluctant to let the Brazilian go this month because he is the only recognised cover for former Sunderland full-back Marcos Alonso. It is likely to run and run, especially with Rafa Benitez still waiting to hear how much money he has to spend.

The financial situation makes it difficult for Newcastle to pay the £10m required to bring in Pepe Reina too.

The former Liverpool goalkeeper is back on the agenda despite signing a new contract for Napoli in the summer but it is hard to imagine such a fee being paid at this stage.

Newcastle – also linked with Crystal Palace left-back Pape Souare - have also expressed an interest in another Chelsea youngster, but Bournemouth appear set to beat them and Celtic to the loan signing of exciting Charly Musonda.

Hearts, meanwhile, are keen on Magpies youngster Kyle Cameron. He has not figured for the first team but the 20-year-old has had spells with Workington, Newport and York.

OTHER CLUBS …

Chelsea are interested in signing Andy Carroll from West Ham this month.

Crystal Palace hope to seal a £15m deal to sign Fiorentina striker Khouma Babacar.

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah was offered to most Premier League sides for £2.5m and only Hull and Stoke expressed an interest.

Alexis Sanchez is close to joining Manchester United with Arsenal interested in signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan as part of the deal while also exploring the availability of Borussia Dortmund's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly made Chelsea star N'Golo Kante their top transfer target for this summer.

Swansea are planning a record-breaking £25m move for Atletico Madrid striker Kevin Gameiro, who is also wanted by Turkish giants Fenerbahce.