Chinese interests are in contact with Sunderland.

The Sunderland Echo says consortiums in China have been sounded out over a possible takeover of Sunderland.

No deal has been agreed and discussions with any potential investors have not progressed past the sounding-out stage.

The Sun report representatives of owner and chairman Ellis Short have spoken to different Far East firms, with Short valuing the club at around the £150million mark.

But the club's perilous league position is reported to have put one potential group off.