Sunderland are determined to sign a striker before the transfer window shuts down on Wednesday.
The Black Cats have already failed with moves for Liverpool striker Danny Ings and Southampton attacker Jay Rodriguez.
Ings has recently recovered from a cruciate injury, and it was made evidently clear to David Moyes' side by the Reds that they will not allow the 23-year-old to leave, either on a loan move or on a permanent deal.
Rodriguez has also struggled with injuries during the last couple of seasons, but he scored a late equaliser for the Saints in their 1-1 draw with the Black Cats on the weekend and has a role to play for Claude Puel this season.
Moyes will now work frantically to bring in a new forward to help Jermain Defoe up front at the Stadium of Light.