NEWCASTLE

Rafa Benitez has delivered a damning assessment of Newcastle United’s progress on the transfer front this summer.

The Magpies, who it has been claimed have had a bid accepted for Anderlecht striker Isaac Kiese-Thelin, were thumped 4-0 by Portuguese side Braga on Wednesday night.

Newcastle have only added Ki Sung-yueng and Fabian Schar – plus Yoshinori Muto subject to a work permit - as new faces this summer and he has seen a potential swap deal involving Salomon Rondon and Dwight Gayle stall.

Benitez said: "I said what I had to say on transfers two months ago, we'll see what the next ten days bring. I have no idea - I have no idea how close we are to anyone.

"Now is not a time to talk about Rondon or Gayle, it's a time to analyse what's gone on these last two months.

"I said two months ago what we needed, and ten days before the start of season we have four or five players we thought we could bring but we haven't - and we still are where we are."

He added: "Braga was a bad game for us, we're not doing well on the pitch or off it.

"It's concerning with the season ten days away. That should be a wake-up call for everyone (at the club). If we don't improve everything we will suffer. The only positive was the attitude of the young players.”

Newcastle have moved for Anderlecht striker Thelin after he scored 19 goals in 39 games on loan at Beveren last season. The Swedish striker is believed to be worth £6.8m.

MIDDLESBROUGH

Jurgen Klopp has admitted that Sheyi Ojo could be leaving Liverpool on loan.

Boro want the 21-year-old forward to boost their attacking options and he will be given the opportunity to head for there next week.

Ojo has impressed during Liverpool’s pre-season tours and Middlesbrough tried to sign him last summer.

Instead he moved to Fulham where he played 24 times in all competitions to help secure promotion to the Premier League.

“Here it is a little bit difficult, especially for the offensive players," Klopp told Liverpoolfc.com. "Ojo played a fantastic pre-season, really good and confident technically, really strong, improved a lot in tactical things and his attitude was great.

“For me, he is a no-brainer, to be honest, and I think that will happen. It makes sense for him to go on loan. That’s how it is for a few of the others.”

Middlesbrough are also working on adding a striker or two to their ranks, with Martyn Waghorn and Middlesbrough-born Jordan Hugill in their sights. Hugill is being allowed to leave West Ham just eight months after joining in a £10m deal from Preston.

SUNDERLAND

After offloading Lamine Kone to Strasbourg in a season-long loan deal, it now seems as if Sunderland could do the same for Didier Ndong and Papy Djilobodji.

Both players are in similar situations to Kone in that neither want to play for the club and the Black Cats don’t want them to stay either.

But Sunderland’s hopes of securing fees for the three men have diminished with the transfer deadline approaching next Thursday.

Stewart Donald, the Sunderland owner, has admitted that deals are close but it is unclear at what level. The chances are the two will be leaving on similar loans with a view to permanent transfers in the future.

Sunderland completed the signing of Charlie Wyke on Wednesday and they could yet add one more.

Jack Ross, the Sunderland manager, remains keen on Kilmarnock winger Jordan Jones and he is a former team-mate of Wyke’s at Middlesbrough.

Jones has tweeted Wyke to say congratulations on the move and it is not ridiculous to suggest he could yet follow him to the Stadium of Light, even if it is after this Saturday’s opener with Charlton.

OTHER CLUBS

Chelsea are ready to hijack Tottenham's bid to sign Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish.

Manchester United's "transfer fixer" Matt Judge has flown to Spain to begin negotiations with Barcelona for centre-back Yerry Mina.

West Ham could take their summer spending past £100m if they are able to complete a deal to sign Lille's Brazil midfielder Thiago Maia.

The Hammers have been thwarted in their bid to sign Celta Vigo striker Maxi Gomez after a £25m offer was rejected.

Wolves are interested in signing Stoke City midfielder Badou N'Diaye, who has also been linked with Everton or a possible move back to Galatasaray.

Chelsea are ready to take their battle for Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain to the wire amid reports he is not keen on any part of his proposed AC Milan move being a loan.

Chelsea are in active negotiations with Marseille to sell France striker Olivier Giroud for around £20m.

Adrien Rabiot is set to snub Arsenal for a Barcelona move - if PSG can finalise a deal for N'Golo Kante.

Tottenham are plotting a £30m swoop for Bournemouth midfielder Lewis Cook.