SUNDERLAND

It had looked like Fabio Borini was destined for a move to Lazio this summer, but the situation has changed overnight and AC Milan are now firmly in pole position to sign the Sunderland forward.

While Lazio have been haggling over Borini’s wage payments, Milan have muscled in on discussions and now look likely to lure Borini to the San Siro.

The Northern Echo: Back on Wearside: Fabio Borini

Italian sources claim the 26-year-old will have a medical in Milan tomorrow, with Borini due to travel to Milan’s training ground from a holiday in Ibiza.

Sunderland had been willing to allow Borini to join Lazio on an initial loan deal, with an agreement in place for a permanent transfer in the summer, and a similar arrangement is anticipated with AC Milan.

Borini was a disappointment last season, scoring just two Premier League goals as Sunderland finished at the foot of the Premier League, and his second spell on Wearside was nowhere near as successful as his first, when he played a prominent role in the ‘Great Escape’ under Gus Poyet during a loan spell from Liverpool.

Meanwhile, back on Wearside, Robbie Stockdale has been told he will be taking charge of Sunderland’s first pre-season training session tomorrow as takeover talks with consortiums from Germany and United States remain ongoing.


MIDDLESBROUGH

Marten de Roon dominates the headlines this morning, with Manchester United having joined Atalanta on the list of clubs to have expressed an interest in the Boro midfielder.

Given the strength of his performances last season, the Boro hierarchy expected de Roon to receive attention this summer, but there is a strong determination to hold on to the Dutch midfielder despite relegation.

Steve Gibson has told Garry Monk he does not have to sell anyone he does not want to lose, and the Boro chairman regards de Roon as a key asset as he looks to guide his club back into the top-flight at the first time of asking.

The Northern Echo:

Monk will meet the majority of his players for the first time this morning as he takes charge of the opening session of pre-season training, and the new Boro boss also sees de Roon as a key part of his plans for next season.

The same is not true of Antonio Barragan, and the Spanish full-back should complete his season-long loan to Real Betis later today, with the La Liga club having an option to turn the transfer into a permanent deal next summer.

As well as making changes at first-team level, Boro are also adding to their development ranks, and the Teessiders are set to complete the signing of former Liverpool defender Tom Brewitt.

The 20-year-old was released from Liverpool’s Under-23 squad this summer, but Boro have been monitoring him closely and are expected to offer him a deal at Rockliffe Park.


NEWCASTLE

With Ryan Shawcross stalling on a new contract at Stoke City, Newcastle United are one of a number of Premier League clubs pondering a swoop for the experienced centre-half.

Shawcross is about to enter the final year of his current deal at the Britannia Stadium, and talks over a new deal have failed to reach a conclusion with Stoke chief executive Tony Scholes admitting the discussions have become a “very complicated and long process”.

That has alerted potential suitors, and having pondered a move for Shawcross on a number of occasions in the past, Newcastle would be interested if the price was right.

The Northern Echo: Stoke City's Joe Allen celebrates scoring his side's second goal of the game with team mate Stoke City's Ryan Shawcross during the Premier League match at the Bet365 Stadium, Stoke. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday October 15, 2

Shawcross turns 30 in October, so given his contractual status, the Magpies would look to do business at around £10m, a price that would potentially be a steal for one of the most consistent and experienced centre-halves in the Premier League.

The interest comes as the Florian Lejeune saga continues to rumble on, even though Eibar officials have conceded they will be unable to hold on to the defender.

Newcastle have agreed to pay Lejeune’s £8.7m release clause, but have been unable to complete the transfer as talks over the payment schedule have proved problematic.

Meanwhile, Ligue 1 side Montpellier have expressed an interest in goalkeeper Tim Krul, who will be leaving St James’ Park this summer.


OTHER CLUBS

The Daily Telegraph writes that Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata is so eager on completing a move to Manchester United that he has taken a short break from his honeymoon.

Morata has been in Ibiza after getting married earlier this month – presumably not in an apartment-share with Fabio Borini - but has incredibly left wife Alice Campello to briefly return to the Spanish capital in an effort to hurry along his switch to Old Trafford.

Real would like a minimum of £75m for a player who scored 20 times in 43 appearances in all competitions last term and have already rejected a £65m bid from United.

The Northern Echo: Alvaro Morata scores for Real Madrid against Rayo Vallecano. Picture: Action Images

Staying in Manchester, and the Independent claims United boss Jose Mourinho is targeting Monaco's versatile midfielder Fabinho - even if he recruits Nemanja Matic from Premier League rivals Chelsea.

Matic is expected to complete a £35m move from the Blues soon but Mourinho is desperate to freshen up his squad further.

Even though Fabinho primarily occupies the same holding midfield role as Matic, he has been used at right-back by his Ligue 1 club - a position that has sometimes proved problematic for Mourinho, who has occasionally turned to winger Antonio Valencia to fill the role.

However, United look set to lose out in the race for Burnley and England defender Michael Keane, who is poised to complete a move to Premier League rivals Everton, according to the Sun.

Keane had been linked with a return to his boyhood club after signalling his intention to leave Turf Moor but United's signing of Victor Lindelof had deterred the Clarets centre-half, and now Everton may profit.

The Toffees are willing to match Burnley's £25m valuation of the player and a deal could be concluded within days.

Elsewhere, the Daily Mirror reports former England captain John Terry will drop a division to sign for Aston Villa once his Chelsea contract expires at the weekend.

The veteran centre-half becomes a free agent this Saturday after almost two decades at Stamford Bridge and will snub a move to Birmingham to sign for their biggest rivals.

Meanwhile, Chelsea could let Frenchman Kurt Zouma return to his homeland on loan with Nice in an effort to give the defender first-team football.

Ligue 1 club Nice are on the hunt for reinforcements after Paul Baysse joined Malaga and, with Virgil van Dijk or Leonardo Bonucci tipped to arrive at Chelsea in the coming weeks, Zouma could fall further down the pecking order under manager Antonio Conte, making a loan move a tempting possibility.