MIDDLESBROUGH

Adama Traore is sure to be hot property this summer and there is growing interest in him from North-East neighbours Newcastle.

The Magpies’ boss Rafa Benitez is known to have considered him in the past because of his electrifying pace and that is what he wants to add this summer.

Middlesbrough will not be looking to sell and he is under contract, although the lure of the Premier League and the huge cash flying around could make it hard for Tony Pulis to keep him.

Middlesbrough, who are also aware of interest in Traore from a number of other clubs including Chelsea and West Ham, have shown in the past that they will not cave in easily though.

They refused to let Ben Gibson go to the top-flight a year ago when there were bids.

Gibson is also the subject of strong interest from the Premier League again and Southampton are leading the chase as things stand. Everton, though, are also weighing up a move.

Any successful bid for Traore is understood to mean Aston Villa will be due some cash from a sell-on clause, although that has not been confirmed on Teesside. 

SUNDERLAND

Traore is not the only Boro player being talked about as a possible target for a North-East rival.

Boyhood Sunderland fan Grant Leadbitter is being heavily linked with a return to the Stadium of Light again, just like he was last summer.

Leadbitter lost his place in the final few weeks of the season under Pulis, although chairman Steve Gibson is known to have a strong relationship with the midfielder.

The 32-year-old recently signed a one-year contract extension at the Riverside so there could be a small fee involved if Pulis and Boro decide to make a change in that area.

Leadbitter is also interesting Nottingham Forest boss Aitor Karanka, his former Middlesbrough manager.

While Sunderland manager Jack Ross – to be paraded at the Academy of Light today - is looking to bring in plenty new players in his first summer in charge, he also knows that he has to move players on to ease the wage bill.

One player he would like to keep is Paddy McNair, but the prospect of a Premier League return will make it hard for the former Manchester United midfielder.

McNair, dubbed Premier League class this week by Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neil, has been the subject of a £2m offer from Brighton already and that is sure to be increased after it was rejected. There are also other clubs keen.

NEWCASTLE

Martin Dubravka has completed his £4m move to Newcastle and admitted the ‘last game feeling’ at St James’ Park helped persuade him to stay.

Dubravka had already enjoyed a brilliant loan spell on Tyneside but then he was overcome with emotion after the victory over the Blues on the final day.

Rafa Benitez and the Magpies have since triggered the clause in his loan deal that sees him become a full-time player after leaving Sparta Prague.

The Slovakian said: “The last game against Chelsea, I’ve never had that feeling. It was something special. I didn’t want to walk away, I wanted to stay and enjoy it.

“I’m looking forward to the new season, to sticking together and having fans with us.”

Dubravka will not be the only new arrival this summer, but there are also likely to departures.

It has emerged Benitez is now willing to listen to offers for Javier Manquillo. The Spaniard played as a full-back on both flanks but the manager is now looking for alternatives.

OTHER CLUBS …

Joe Hart is likely to reject the opportunity to resurrect his career in Portugal with Sporting Lisbon.

John Terry has left Aston Villa without the club making an offer for him to extend his stay.

Frank Lampard has agreed to become the new Derby County manager.

Ryan Fredericks is set to join West Ham despite winning promotion to the Premier League with Fulham.

Jose Mourinho does not want Manchester United blowing his budget on £200m Gareth Bale.

Jorginho could seal his move to Manchester City from Napoli after Italy's Monday clash with Holland.

Stoke will demand £30m for Jack Butland as a slice of the fee goes to Birmingham.

Liverpool will intensify their efforts to bring Nabil Fekir to Anfield, as they attempt to strike a deal in the next 10 days.

Chelsea are ready to enter into the £80m chase for Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski.