Sunderland face stiff competition for Manchester City winger Adam Johnson.

The Daily Star says the England winger was born and bred on Wearside and would seriously consider a move home, but Tottenham, Liverpool and Everton are all keen on the 25-year-old.

Spurs and Liverpool can offer Johnson European football, while Everton regularly finish in the Premier League's top eight.

Sunderland, however, are confident they can come up with an attractive financial package.

While they can't match the £80,000-a-week wages he is on at City, they are ­willing to make him their best-paid ­player on around £50,000.

And they believe the lure of returning to the North East and the prospect of ­playing under O'Neill could see them win the race to land Johnson.