Leeds United are keen to sign Sunderland midfielder Liam Bridcutt permanently.

The Sunderland Echo says Sunderland have been boosted by Leeds maintaining their interest in the midfielder.

Bridcutt has absolutely no future at the Stadium of Light and is equally keen to leave Sunderland himself after failing to appear for the Black Cats last season.

But the £2.5million signing has another 12 months remaining on his Sunderland contract and while he is far from among the club's top earners, he is still proving to be a drain on the wage bill.

Sunderland put a £1million asking price on Bridcutt's head 12 months ago and a bid of around £500,000 would probably be acceptable now for a player who has a host of admirers in the Championship.