PEA & HAM MOVE ON

international team- mate of Magpies defender Chancel Mbemba.

The highest fee Newcastle have paid remains the £16m they forked out for Michael Owen’s move from Real Madrid 12 years ago.

MIDDLESBROUGH are considering a move for Reading and Wales defender Chris Gunter.

New boss Garry Monk needs a rightback and the 27- year- old former Nottingham Forest, Tottenham and Cardiff City defender is among his targets.

Gunter has bags of experience in the Championship and plenty at international level too after winning 79 caps for Wales.

That appeals to Monk, who knows returning Boro to the Premier League at the first attempt will need his squad to show plenty of character. WEST HAM are trying to bring Mexico striker Javier Hernandez back to England.

The former Manchester United star (right), whose nickname ‘Chicharito’ translates as ‘Little Pea’, is understood to be open to a return to the Premier League.

And the Hammers are ready to hand him the opportunity by meeting the £13million release clause in his contract at BAYER LEVERKUSEN.

West Ham have had the player watched closely at the Confederations Cup in Russia. And his performances, on the back of a season in which he scored 11 goals in 26 appearances, have convinced them to make their move.

Hernandez has 12 months left on his deal – and if Leverkusen do not sell him now they could end up letting him go for nothing next summer.

West Ham co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold are looking to sign two strikers, and Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud is also in their sights.