Newcastle United in for Ross McCormack
The Sunderland Echo are reporting that Newcastle United are set to make an £8 million swoop from Leeds United striker Ross McCormack. The Magpies are desperate to strengthen their front line this summer and have identified the man who scored 29 goals for Leeds last season as a transfer target. McCormack is fans favourite amongst the Leeds United faithful but is said to be unhappy after the recent sacking of Brian McDermott and has also been linked to West Ham United, Celtic and Leicester City. The Yorkshire Evening Post are carrying a similar story and are reporting that Newcastle United have enquired about the 27-year-old who is under contract at Leeds until 2017. The amount of time remaining on his contract may help Leeds to secure a better deal for the striker who they value at about £6 million whilst Newcastle have been linked to a series of other attacking players of late.
Clubs interested in Mark O’Brien
Barnsley and Sheffield United are interested in a loan move for Derby County defender Mark O’Brien, according to the Derby Telegraph. The 21-year-old has not yet featured under Steve McClaren after he underwent knee surgery in February 2013 and a loan move could be ideal for the centre-back to get his career back on track. O’Brien could be the perfect replacement for Harry Maguire who looks set to leave Sheffield United but Barnsley will be eager to strengthen a defence which shipped a staggering 77 goals last season on the way to relegation to League 1. There has been a couple of other Derby County stories in the last few days – West Brom have told Derby that George Thorne is not for sale, according to the Derby Telegraph whilst the Watford Observer have reported that Watford are lining up a bid for 22-year-old midfielder Jeff Hendrick.
Shearer to Crewe?
The Stoke Sentinel is reporting that Crewe Alexandra are set to make a move for goalkeeper Scott Shearer. Shearer is a free agent after being released by recently promoted Rotherham United and appears to be top of Steve Davis’s list of ‘keepers. Shearer has made over 300 appearances in his career despite spending much of last season as an understudy to Adam Collin. If Shearer was to join Crewe he would be expected to take over Steve Phillips’s coaching role whilst competing with Ben Garratt for a place in the first team.
