Sunderland have opened talks with Birmingham City over a £5 million deal for Craig Gardner.
The Daily Mail says former Blues boss Steve Bruce moved to try to take advantage of the uncertainty at St Andrew's by making a bid for the midfield talisman just 24 hours after the resignation of Alex McLeish.
Gardner, 24 and a Birmingham fan, was the club's star performer during their rollercoaster season. He was top scorer with 10 in all competitions, and his last-day goal at Tottenham came within minutes of saving his club from relegation.
Bruce, with money to spend after agreeing Jordan Henderson's £16m switch to Liverpool, will offer him the chance to stay in the Barclays Premier League.
