Sunderland are chasing Blackpool winger Matt Phillips.
The Daily Star says they face stiff competition from Everton and Wigan Athletic, while Tangerines boss Ian Holloway is determined to keep the 21-year-old at Bloomfield Road, despite the club missing out on promotion last season.
Black Cats chief Martin O'Neill has turned to Phillips, having been put off by the wage demands of Blackburn's Junior Hoilett.