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

SUNDERLAND

Former Hartlepool defender Jack Baldwin is on the radar of new Black Cats boss Jack Ross.

But Sunderland face tough competition for his signature from Championship club Bolton.

Bolton successfully stayed in the second tier last season after narrowly avoiding relegation, while Sunderland dropped to League One.

But that has not stopped the two clubs going head to head for Baldwin.

Peterboroiugh United are believed to be ready to cash in on the 24-year-old defender, with suggestions that he could be available for just £250,000.

Bolton want things tied up quickly and that means Sunderland will have to move swiftly to land one of Posh’s better players – and captain – last season.

Baldwin was impressive during his time at Pools and was sold for a higher fee. He is composed and strong in the tackle.

Sunderland are looking to move players on before they make massive progress in signings.

But they are braced to have to wait until after Tunisia have finished at the World Cup before Wahbi Khazri departs.

Khazri has asked for a free transfer with interest in him from Turkey, while Rennes – where he spent last season on loan – are thought to have cooled their interested because of the finances involved.

MIDDLESBROUGH

There have been more suggestions this morning that Middlesbrough captain Grant Leadbitter is available.

Neither Boro nor the player have confirmed such stories, however.

Leadbitter is known to be well liked at Middlesbrough and has been a key part of the squad for the last few years, despite managerial changes.

The 32-year-old is wanted at Sunderland, where he was wanted 12 months ago, and ending his career there would be an intriguing option.

He is, though, keen to fight for his place at Middlesbrough who can offer Championship football rather than League One. Nottingham Forest have also been keen.

There is a lot of talk still about Middlesbrough wanting to pay £5m for Bristol City defender Aden Flint, who they were also interested in last summer.

While another defender on the radar is Everton’s Ramiro Funes Mori, who is rated in the same bracket as Flint. Intriguingly Everton want Ben Gibson too.

And Ipswich Town and Hull are now battling with Birmingham for Boro winger Marvin Johnson.

NEWCASTLE

Chancel Mbemba has agreed terms with Porto and is thought to have penned a pre-contract agreement.

The 23-year-old defender is on his way out of St James’ Park this summer as Rafa Benitez looks to freshen things up at the back.

But the deal can’t be concluded just yet as the two clubs are haggling over a fee, with Newcastle still intent to get £7m for him.

Newcastle are looking to make transfer progress themselves having only signed Martin Dubravka so far from Sparta Prague.

Two players Benitez is keen on are Andros Townsend and Andrej Kramaric, but the fees for both are likely to pose problems.

Newcatsle are still reluctant to go overboard with their spending even if there is finally an acceptance that the club’s record purchase of Michael Owen for £16m will have to be beaten.

But Palace are wanting around that figure for Townsend, who was sold by Newcatsle for less two years ago, while Kramaric has had a £43m valuation placed on his head by Hoffenheim.

One player who is being touted as a replacement for Mbemba is Toulouse defender Christopher Jullien. He is a 25-year-old and is rated in the £9m bracket by his club.

OTHER CLUBS ….

Liverpool hope to snatch Jack Grealish from Aston Villa while Tottenham argue over a fee for the midfielder.

Everton are set for a tilt at Hull City kid Jarrod Bowen.

Crystal Palace and Bournemouth are mulling over bids for Declan Rice after his contract stand-off with West Ham.

Andre Ayew is set to leave Swansea following their relegation from the Premier League.

Watford are ready to listen to offers for captain Troy Deeney.

England star Ruben Loftus-Cheek is set to quit Chelsea this summer.

Manchester City have finally agreed a deal with Napoli for Jorginho worth an initial £43.1m.

West Ham are increasingly confident of signing the Lazio winger Felipe Anderson for a club record fee which could be as high as £35m.