SUNDERLAND

Fabio Borini might have secured a permanent move away from Sunderland to AC Milan this summer, but he could still be back in the Premier League next season.

It has emerged Borini, who has spent the season on loan at Milan, is now wanted by Napoli and West Ham – even though his £6m switch will officially go through on July 1.

The situation makes no difference to Sunderland, however, as they are still to due receive the money from Milan regardless of what happens after that.

Sunderland manager Jack Ross is looking at ways of strengthening his squad and the first task will be to get his head round the budget he will have at his disposal.

There are players who are out of contract and others he will no doubt want to move on before stepping up efforts to bring in his main targets, with Hibernian’s £3m-rated John McGinn the man being mostly mentioned.

Former Sunderland midfielder Alex Rae said: “There will be curve balls like trying to negotiate to get people off contracts.

"A lot of guys will be released, guys such as John O’Shea who are coming to the end of their contract but the problem is there are some players on serious wages who have played predominantly in the Premier League for the last six or seven years.

“Now they are down in League One and that brings its own issues. Will they want to stay in League One? If not, what other clubs will take them having suffered back-to-back relegations.

“And for those who remain on these big contracts how does Jack maintain harmony in the dressing room when there is such a disparity in wages from guys he brings in? It’s a challenge to balance the books while also keeping the harmony within the dressing room.

“Jack is going to be saying to a few guys you’re not part of my plans but by the same token you don’t want them to be disruptive and that’s where your management skills comes into it.”

NEWCASTLE

Mike Ashley has told Newcastle’s managing director Lee Charnley to nail down Rafa Benitez’s contract – as the manager waits for assurances from above about the ambitions of the club’s owner.

Benitez will be given cash to spend but he wants the pot to be sizeable enough to take Newcastle on from the tenth place finish many felt was an over achievement under his watch.

Raising more money could help Benitez’s cause and that will include offloading Aleksandar Mitrovic. The Serbian has hinted he could be willing to head to Fulham on a permanent deal after promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs.

“For next season you can expect the same Fulham, we will try to beat every team even top teams,” said Mitrovic. “We will try to play football, we will try to always score one more goal, we will try to play attacking football and do the same thing we did this year.

“We have to see what happens first but I would be happy to stay. We will see what happens, I will speak with my agent, I will speak with the club and we will see.”

MIDDLESBROUGH

Former Boro winger Albert Adomah could be on the move again.

Despite turning in a strong season for Aston Villa under Steve Bruce including 15 goals, Adomah is seen as potentially one of the players who could be moved on to ease the club’s wage bill.

Villa are looking to hack it back after missing out on promotion to the Premier League and Adomah, despite his good form, is being touted as one of those potentials who could be sold.

Middlesbrough are unlikely to be interested in re-signing him, with Tony Pulis considering his options on the transfer front.

Boro defender Ben Gibson has again, though, been linked with a move to away, with Everton and Southampton again mentioned.

OTHER CLUBS …

Riyad Mahrez looks destined to complete a £75m switch to Manchester City.

Man City goalkeeper Joe Hart has switched agents in a bid to resurrect his career.

Liverpool are to tempt Roma with a world-record bid for goalkeeper Alisson Becker.

Manchester City have had a £39m move for Jorginho rejected by Napoli, who hope Chelsea join in and spark a bidding war for the Italy midfielder.

Burnley are to sign £6m Bristol City defender Joe Bryan with Southampton's Sam McQueen joining City.

Gareth Bale is Manchester United's top target but £349m may be too expensive for them.

Manchester United are tracking Aston Villa star Jack Grealish.

Jamie Vardy has opened talks on a new £120,000-a-week Leicester deal.

Wolves are lining up a £27m move for AC Milan's Andre Silva.