SUNDERLAND

Simon Grayson has confirmed that Robert Snodgrass is on Sunderland’s wanted list, as first revealed in The Northern Echo at the beginning of July.

The Black Cats’ interest has never disappeared but the chances of him moving to Wearside have strengthened in recent weeks over a lack of progress with other clubs.

There is still Premier League clubs keen to talk to West Ham about the Scotland international, so Grayson knows his chances will rest on what happens on that front.

Sunderland are not in a position to pay him anywhere near the wage he is earning with the Hammers, nor would they be looking to pay much of a transfer fee, so a late loan deal could be the best way for him to head to Wearside.

That remains a similar situation with Aston Villa striker Ross McCormack. Sunderland are still keen on him too but feel their best chances of signing him will be later in the window on loan because the Villans want to sell him permanently.

Preston’s Jordan Hugill is the other main transfer target for Sunderland, although nothing is imminent.

NEWCASTLE

It is widely known that Rafael Benitez still wants to strengthen his attacking options despite the arrival of Joselu from Stoke in a £5m deal.

And it has been claimed in Italy that Benitez is keen on Inter Milan’s Stevan Jovetic, although on Tyneside it is being suggested he is not perceived to be a priority.

Jovetic has struggled at Inter over the last couple of seasons and the Premier League winner with Manchester City is being touted around European clubs at a cost of around £13m.

Benitez has already identified Arsenal’s Lucas Perez as a target and he is available for a similar fee with the Gunners seeking around the £13.4m mark.

Perez only moved from Deportivo la Coruna last year and the Spanish club are still trying to broker a loan deal for him with a view to a permanent switch.

Newcastle still expect to tie up a loan deal for Chelsea winger Kenedy after this weekend.

MIDDLESBROUGH

Garry Monk is just waiting for Birmingham to give Middlesbrough the go-ahead to complete a £3m move for defender Ryan Shotton.

A lack of alternatives in the Blues squad has prevented the deal from taking place so far and Harry Redknapp is working on adding Bristol City’s Aden Flint to his squad.

Middlesbrough are also looking for a different forward following the decision to pull out of a deal for Liverpool’s Sheyi Ojo because an agreed loan was taking too long to happen.

And Birmingham are still waiting to hear if they can conclude a deal for Stewart Downing.

The former England winger has held talks over a move to St Andrew’s but with two years remaining on his Premier League contract on Teesside there is still negotiating to be done.

Downing appears happy to sit tight, while Redknapp has admitted it is proving difficult to conclude.

Redknapp told Talksport: "It's still dragging on a bit. We are interested but we just haven't managed to come to an agreement at the moment with Middlesbrough. They've been fair but we just can't get him over the line. But I would like to bring him in. He's top quality and he would certainly help us an awful lot."

ACCORDING TO REPORTS …

Real Madrid could try again to sign David De Gea from Manchester United before the transfer window closes.

Manchester City must pay £35m to prise shock target Jonny Evans away from West Brom after making a £22m bid.

Chelsea face taking a £20m hit on their asking price for wantaway striker Diego Costa.

Barcelona are closing in on the signing of Paris Saint-Germain winger Angel Di Maria.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has had a new £63m bid for Juventus defender Alex Sandro rejected.

Manchester United have not given up on Ivan Perisic - with a £39m offer to Inter Milan still on the table.