Sunderland are planning a major bid for Blackburn Rovers striker Benni McCarthy.
Things are understood to be moving fast and it is even possible, if unlikely, that a deal could be brokered before today's 5pm deadline for the player to be registered in time to play against Liverpool, says the Hartlepool Daily Mail.
But if the move does not happen today then Sunderland will continue their pursuit over the weekend and into next week.