NEWCASTLE

Rafa Benitez is certainly busy in the transfer market and Newcastle are casting the net far and wide in a bid to get new players in.

The question is whether they can add more new faces to join Brazilian winger Kenedy at St James’ following his move from Chelsea on loan.

Newcastle’s top striker target is Feyenoord striker Nicolai Jorgensen and it has emerged the Dane is the player they are prepared to make their record signing.

But Newcastle are still short of what the Dutch club want for a player they value at more than £20m. At this stage Newcastle are only understood to have suggested a £16m transfer.

The 27-year-old is not the only striker on the radar. They have watched Hertha Berlin’s Davie Selke, while Leicester’s Islam Slimani is another name that keeps cropping up.

Schalke’s former Chelsea winger Andrea Schurrle has also been linked in Germany.

Benitez is keen to offload Aleksandar Mitrovic to help his own recruitment push. Newcatsle have rejected an initial offer from Brighton that has fallen short of the £15m asking price.

The Serbian’s sale would seriously strengthen Benitez’s chances of getting players in this month, given how long he has had to wait for Ashley to open the cheque book. West Brom are also keen on Mitrovic.

SUNDERLAND

Fulham have moved ahead of Sunderland in the battle to land Wolves winger Ben Marshall.

The 26-year-old is another player on the radar of Black Cats manager Chris Coleman, who is desperate to bring in three players at least before the transfer window closes next week.

Marshall would provide much-needed options down the right because he can play as a defender or midfielder. Fulham are also showing an interest as they look to enhance their promotion bid.

Sunderland have suffered frustration on the recruitment front so far, with the exception of bringing in Jake Clarke-Salter. They expect to learn before the end of the week what Derby striker Chris Martin has decided.

Martin is due back from a trip to Dubai with the Rams tomorrow and is believed to have been waiting for Championship leaders Wolves to make him a concrete offer. Reading and Sunderland have already talked to him.

MIDDLESBROUGH

It’s all pretty quiet and familiar on the Middlesbrough front.

Boro midfielder Adam Clayton is now regarded as Aitor Karanka’s No 1 target before next Wednesday’s deadline, having effectively admitted defeat in his pursuit of Daniel Ayala and Grant Leabditter.

Clayton is still struggling to force his way into the starting line-up under Tony Pulis although he has been more involved recently, appearing from the bench.

Nottingham Forest are known to be keen following Karanka’s appointment at the City Ground, but Middlesbrough would not let him go cheaply and Forest don’t have that much to throw around.

Ashley Fletcher remains the other Middlesbrough name in the papers. Sunderland are yet to make a formal approach for him, although they are considering him as an alternative to Chris Martin. Barnsley and Leeds are also keen.

OTHER CLUBS …

Arsenal are in pole position to sign Jonny Evans as well as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for a combined £75m.

West Ham are considering making a bid for Real Betis midfielder Fabian Ruiz after David Moyes watched him play against Barcelona.

Arsenal have increased their offer for Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to £50.9m.

West Ham have held further talks with Inter Milan's Portugal international Joao Mario.

West Brom have lined up a deal to sign centre-back Ali Gabr on loan from Egyptian side Zamalek.

Chelsea are ready to thrust Edin Dzeko straight into their team amid concerns about the form of record signing Alvaro Morata.