NEWCASTLE UNITED

And still the wait goes on for the Magpies to add the first fresh face to Rafael Benitez’s squad following promotion to the Premier League.

Benitez is having to turn his attentions to alternative options because of the frustrations he has suffered in the hunt for his main targets.

While Florian Lejeune is still expected to arrive from Eibar, it is being strongly suggested in Portugal there is strengthened interest from Tyneside in Lisandro Lopez.

The South American defender is available for around the £4.25m mark and Benitez is looking to add to his options in that area of the pitch, even if Lejeune does complete the move everyone has expected for weeks.

Hull City’s Premier League proven full-back Andrew Robertson is also in the club’s sights, with Burnley and West Ham keen on him following the Tigers’ relegation.

Benitez has been linked with former Liverpool playmaker Suso, who has been performing well with AC Milan. However, the Brazilian has pledged his allegiances to Milan and that doesn’t look like materialising.

MIDDLESBROUGH

The big news from Middlesbrough this morning is that Watford are seriously interested in signing George Friend.

The 29-year-old full-back is viewed as a cheaper alternative to £15m-rated Kieran Gibbs and the Hornets have made their interest known.

It could be the Hornets’ way of getting Arsenal to reduce their own asking price, but Middlesbrough will face a fight to keep Friend this summer.

Even if the Watford interest comes to nothing, there is still interest from Burnley and West Brom.

There has been fresh talk this morning of Boro’s interest in Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Keiren Westwood.

It is being claimed that Middlesbrough have table a firm offer for the Owls keeper, who it has been suggested has a £2.5m clause in his contract.

Garry Monk is keen to bring in another keeper to fight with Dimi Konstantopoulos for his first team shirt.

SUNDERLAND

Finally there is movement. After weeks of uncertainty, Ellis Short has pulled the plug on takeover talks and appointed Simon Grayson as the new manager.

Now you can expect Grayson to get to work on putting his stamp on the squad he has inherited after 12 players’ departing since the relegation from the Premier League.

There have been no links so far to players he will be targeting, although it is a safe bet he will be linked with some of Preston’s better players in the next few days. Teessider Jordan Hugill, defender Greg Cunningham and forward Paul Gallagher are a few who spring to mind.

There will be sales too. Fabio Borini has gone to AC Milan, Jeremain Lens should be going to Turkey, and it is impossible to rule out more moving on. Grayson, unveiled at the Stadium of Light later today, has a lot of work to do.

OTHER CLUBS

Liverpool are ready to test RB Leipzig's resolve with bid for £70m-rated midfielder Naby Keita.

Manchester City have opened talks with Tottenham over Kyle Walker's transfer but Spurs won't accept less than £50m for the England right-back.

Chelsea make a shock move for Bayern Munich star Jerome Boateng as Antonio Conte bids to bolster his defence.

Liverpool are interested in Hull City left-back Andrew Robertson.

West Brom are closing in on the £4.5million capture of Inter Milan centre-back Andrea Ranocchia.