Reading striker Shane Long is in the sights of Sunderland boss Steve Bruce.
The Daily Mail says Sunderland are ready to make a £7million bid for Long.
Bruce is hoping to sneak into the race for the Republic of Ireland international and blow rivals Newcastle out of the water. Long, who is on holiday until next week, will be allowed to leave Reading after their failure to win promotion and Sunderland have the money to match their asking price.
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has been tracking the 24-year-old for months and Wolves manager Mick McCarthy, who would like to pair Long with former Cork City team-mate Kevin Doyle, is another admirer.
