NEWCASTLE
As well as being linked with a number of potential signings, Newcastle United find themselves having to fend off speculation about outside interest in a number of their key players.
Jamaal Lascelles is the most obvious example, with Chelsea, Tottenham and Everton all extremely interested in signing the centre-half, and Florian Lejeune has also been linked with a possible return to Spain.
Ayoze Perez is the latest subject of mounting transfer talk, with the European media suggesting that both Napoli and Real Sociedad are lining up bids for the Spanish striker.
Perez enjoyed a hugely successful season last term, establishing himself as Rafael Benitez’s preferred option in the ‘number ten’ role and finishing the campaign with ten goals to his name.
That has alerted clubs right across the continent, and while Napoli’s interest is understood to be at a formative stage, Real Sociedad are ready to make a major push for Perez.
The La Liga side have identified both Perez and Mikel Merino as two potentially attractive acquisitions this summer, and are ready to make a formal approach to Newcastle officials.
Rafael Benitez will not want to lose Perez after putting so much faith in him last season, and the 24-year-old has repeatedly claimed he is happy on Tyneside and does not want to return to his homeland at this stage of his career.
Reports in Spain suggest Real Sociedad value Perez at £18m, but it is hard to see Newcastle having any interest in selling at that price.
Meanwhile, Freddie Woodman’s performances for England at the Toulon Tournament have prompted a host of clubs to contact Newcastle about a possible loan deal for next season.
Clubs in the Championship, League One and the Scottish Premier League are keen to sign Woodman, who finds himself behind Martin Dubravka, Rob Elliot and Karl Darlow in Newcastle’s goalkeeping pecking order.
SUNDERLAND
Unsurprisingly, Jack Ross is focusing his attention on Scotland as he looks to make the first few signings of his reign as Sunderland boss.
Hibernian duo John McGinn and Dylan McGeouch are key targets, and Ross is also hoping to make an early move for Ross County full-back Jason Naismith.
Sunderland are willing to pay around £200,000 for Naismith, a 23-year-old right-back who has represented Scotland at Under-21 level, and who previously played for St Mirren before moving to Ross County.
Ross needs a right-back as Billy Jones was released as a free agent last week, but the Black Cats are not the only club hoping to land Naismith this summer.
Burton Albion, who were relegated to League One with Sunderland last season, and Peterborough United have also lodged bids, although Ross County chairman Roy MacGregor is still hoping Naismith can be persuaded to remain in Dingwall.
Speaking to the Press and Journal, MacGregor said: “Jason has been on holiday and is only just coming back. We’ve had a couple of bids in and a couple of inquiries and I don’t want him to go. I want him to stay and help us make the recharge towards the Premiership.
“He might feel this is not the place for him and he wants to play at the highest level he can. It will very much be when I talk to him that I see how he really feels about it.”
Meanwhile, Sunderland continue to hold firm over Paddy McNair, and have slapped a £7m price tag on the Northern Ireland international’s head.
Sunderland have rejected a £3.5m offer from Brighton for McNair, with the Seagulls having indicated they are willing to go to £5m in an attempt to land their man.
However, with Wolves are interested in signing McNair after winning promotion to the Premier League last season, Sunderland’s new owners are determined to hold out for at least £7m before the midfielder will be allowed to leave.
MIDDLESBROUGH
Ben Gibson’s future continues to be the subject of considerable debate, with Everton increasingly keen on the centre-half.
With their interest in Newcastle defender Jamaal Lascelles going nowhere, Everton are looking for alternative central-defensive options, with their new boss, Marco Silva, having identified strengthening the heart of the back four as a key priority.
Gibson is one of the options currently under consideration at Goodison Park, with Everton understood to be willing to pay around £20m for the 25-year-old.
Tony Pulis does not have to sell anyone this summer, but with the Teessiders having shelled out more than £50m on signings last summer, the Boro boss may decide to cash in on one of his leading assets in an attempt to balance the books.
That asset would almost certainly be either Gibson or Adama Traore, with both players commanding strong interest from a number of different quarters.
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