Sunderland boss Gus Poyet is eager to secure striker Connor Wickham to a new deal.
The Journal says Wickham is in the final year of his contract on Wearside and, despite tentative negotiations taking place over the summer, the 21-year-old has yet to commit his future to the club.
West Ham tested Sunderland's resolve with a £4m bid for Wickham last month but that was rejected out of hand by the Black Cats.
Head coach Poyet has made it crystal clear he wants Wickham to stay and, with the transfer window now closed, sporting director Lee Congerton and chief executive Margaret Byrne are now expected to make contract negotiations for the former Ipswich Town man a priority in the coming days and weeks.
