SUNDERLAND

Brendan Galloway has completed his season long loan move to Sunderland, with Ty Browning due to complete the same sort of deal from Everton as well.

Aiden McGeady will then complete his £2m transfer and then it will be a case of else for the Black Cats and Simon Grayson?

That’s what Grayson and chief executive Martin Bain are already working on, knowing that the Black Cats need more new faces on board quickly with forwards crucial.

The Northern Echo reports this morning that West Ham playmaker Rob Snodgrass is high in Grayson’s thinking, just seven months after the Scotland international moved to West Ham rather than strike a deal with Middlesbrough.

The likeliest striker arrival remains Preston’s Jordan Hugill. Sunderland hope to get a deal done for £3m after Ipswich saw a £2.5m bid rejected, even though the Tractor Boys are due to make a fresh bid.

MIDDLESBROUGH

There are only a few days until Garry Monk flies out to Portugal with his squad for a warm weather training break and a couple of friendlies. So far, though, there have been no new arrivals, and Monk wants that to change.

Norwich’s Jonny Howson is on the verge of a £5m move from Carrow Road and that will be Monk’s first signing since taking over. Beyond that, though, it is difficult to see how other deals can be done before Sunday.

Derby defender Cyrus Christie, Nottingham Forest striker Britt Assombolonga and a goalkeeper, namely Rob Green or Keiren Westwood, are all under serious consideration and Middlesbrough have enquired.

NEWCASTLE

After landing Florian Lejeune this week, Rafael Benitez wants the Magpies’ negotiators to get more through the door quickly before pre-season gets into full swing.

Burnley striker Andre Gray remains one of Benitez’s preferred attacking targets because he offers Premier League experience, power and goals. He is still no nearer to signing a new deal at Turf Moor and Newcastle are ready to make a fresh approach for his services.

Interestingly it has emerged that Newcastle are not interested in signing Joe Hart at this stage, even though the Manchester City goalkeeper is believed to be keen on a switch to St James’ Park. City’s demands for a permanent deal seem to be putting teams off.

There is also another Championship club looking at Newcastle striker Daryl Murphy. The former Ipswich Town man is unlikely to figure much in the Premier league so could be moved on before the start of the season. The Canaries, rivals to his former club Ipswich, are weighing up an offer.

OTHER CLUBS

ARSENAL have completed the signing of France striker Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon for £44m.

Lacazette netted 37 goals in all competitions last season and becomes the Gunners' second major summer addition following the arrival of left-back Sead Kolasinac on a free transfer from Schalke.

HUDDERSFIELD have signed Montpellier forward Steve Mounie for an undisclosed club record fee. The 22-year-old Benin international, who has dual French nationality, scored 14 goals in Ligue 1 last season.

FORMER Sunderland and Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar has joined South African champions Bidvest Wits. The 35-year-old has joined the Johannesburg-based club after his Sunderland contract expired at the end of the season.