Championship transfers: Big Middlesbrough loan boost | Leeds €10m deal update | Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa latest

And reports today suggest that Middlesbrough have been handed a big boost in their pursuit of a loan deal - who could go some way to replacing Adama Traore.

READ: Middlesbrough eye £5m international defender

Elsewhere, there are a host of other Championship clubs hitting the headlines as they look to finalise transfers ahead of Friday's 5pm deadline.

Here's the rumours doing the rounds today:

Middlesbrough are 'confident' of completing the signing of Crystal Palace attacker Jason Puncheon on a loan deal, with the experienced wideman expected to fill the void left by Adama Traore after his switch to Wolves. Crystal Palace are thought to be prepared to allow Puncheon to leave, handing Boro a big boost (Teamtalk)

MORE: Boro set to beat Leeds and Aston Villa to midfielder deal

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe has ruled out a loan exit for striker Jermain Defoe - who had been linked with Nottingham Forest (Nottingham Post)

Leeds United were linked with a move for Lazio striker Felipe Caicedo earlier this summer - but Lazio are thought to be demanding €10m for the former Manchester City man (Calciomercato)

Interest in Derby striker Cameron Jerome continues to hot up, with Hull the latest club to declare an interest in the striker. Leeds, Ipswich, QPR, Blackburn and Reading are also thought to be keen (Yorkshire Post)

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Aston Villa are interested in a loan deal for Le Havre defender Harold Moukoudi, who has also been interesting Celtic and Middlesbrough (Daily Mail)

Marvin Johnson continues to interest Sheffield United and Birmingham City - but the Blades are thought to be firmly in the driving seat for a deal (Yorkshire Post)

Brentford are casting an eye over former Newcastle winger Yasin Ben El-Mhanni, who was linked with Nottingham Forest and Leeds earlier this summer (Various)