Iheanacho or Slimani for Newcastle? Boro weigh up moves for Everton and Leicester men, while Sunderland braced for Watford bid

It could be the tale of the two Cities over the next 24 hours as Rafael Benitez edges closer to ending the transfer window furious.

The Magpies boss was left further frustrated yesterday when Daniel Sturridge opted for West Brom rather than Tyneside – on the same day it emerged Feyenoord will not sell Nicolai Jorgensen for the £15m being offered from St James’.

• Sturridge 'should have chosen Newcastle over WBA' - Wright

Sturridge’s decision means Newcastle still have room for one more Premier League loan under the rule-book, having already landed Chelsea’s Kenedy until the end of the season.

Adding a striker remains the priority and Newcastle are in deep discussions with Leicester City for Kelechi Iheanacho and Islam Slimani, but the Foxes are reluctant to let them go on loan.

It's Transfer Deadline Day tomorrow and we will have it covered from sunrise to sunset and beyond. Follow Scott Wilson and Paul Fraser tomorrow for all the moves as they happen here at northernecho.co.uk

As the deadline nears it would be a major surprise to see both of those stay at the King Power Stadium, which is why Newcastle will keep knocking on the door. Leicester would prefer to sell Slimani for £20m and Monaco are keen too.

Benitez is desperate for extra firepower but he does have the option of bringing in another defender on loan.

Manchester City are willing to let centre-back Eliaquim Mangala go on loan if Newcastle will pay his £80,000-a-week wage.

The Premier League leaders are prepared to take that step after paying £57m for Athletic Bilbao’s Aymeric Laporte.

Other than those, though, Newcastle’s only other business looks like being moving Jack Colback on, although West Ham are still interested in Jonjo Shelvey after failing to land Tom Cairney.

MIDDLESBROUGH

Everton winger Mo Besic could still be the subject of a fresh move from Tony Pulis before the end of the window.

The Toffees forward is available and Boro were in touch earlier in the window, but there could be a fresh move made before the deadline passes.

Pulis – who is also considering a move for Leicester midfielder Andy King - is known to be looking at two loan deals in the next 24 hours and one of those is young New York City winger Jack Harrison.

The 21-year-old will move to Manchester City in a £4m deal and will then be sent immediately on loan to Middlesbrough, where there is a shortage of out and out wingers Pulis wants to use.

Middlesbrough are still looking to move players on too, although nothing is likely to happen until after tonight’s visit of Sheffield Wednesday to the Riverside.

Nottingham Forest, who have been linked with a long list of Boro players, are considering a move for Adlene Guedioura, according to reports from the City Ground.

Aitor Karanka, now in charge of Forest, is also keen on Adam Clayton and Patrick Bamford.

SUNDERLAND

Watford are ready to make one last move for Sunderland midfielder Didier Ndong before the transfer window closes.

The Black Cats have knocked back the Hornets’ advances so far because Chris Coleman is not interested in allowing him go on loan with no guarantee of future payment.

Watford’s change of manager – with Javi Garcia replacing Marco Silva – might have altered things but they are still keen to get him in.

Now Watford are planning to make an offer for Ndong and Sunderland are looking for around the £8m mark – even if that was to be paid in the summer at the end of a loan deal (without clauses).

Sunderland are still looking for another striker and a goalkeeper. Middlesbrough’s Dimi Konstantopoulos is the preferred option and Leeds’ Andy Lonergan is an alternative. Both, though, will not be moved on unless their clubs bring in extra cover.

The striker situation is more complicated and the unsuccessful search has left Coleman – who has been told to pay around £500,000 if he wants Hearts’ Kyle Lafferty - reflecting that his first transfer window back in club management has been “brutal”.

OTHER CLUBS …

Chelsea will refuse any Manchester City bid for Eden Hazard - even if the Premier League leaders offer to break the world-record fee of £200m.

Chelsea are hoping to clinch a shock move for Olivier Giroud and complete a transfer merry-go-round that will see Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang join Arsenal and Michy Batshuayi move to Borussia Dortmund.

Manchester City have agreed a £2.6m fee with PEC Zwollo for Holland U20 defender Philippe Sandler.

Watford have rejected a proposal from Malaga to sign Isaac Success on loan.

Watford's Stefano Okaka is discussing a return to Fulham on loan.

Swansea are targeting a loan deal for Liverpool winger Lazar Markovic.