South Korean striker Ji Dong-Won is a target for Northeast rivals Sunderland and Newcastle United.
The Daily Mail says Sunderland have entered the race for Dong-Won.
The 20-year-old, watched by Newcastle last month, will cost around £1 million from his club Chunnam Dragons.
Dong-Won has scored six goals in 11 games for his country and spent a short spell on trial with Reading two years ago.