Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is determined to win the Bosman race for Cardiff City striker Jay Bothroyd.
The Mirror says Sunderland are confident they will get their man - whether the Welsh club go up or not - and will offer Bothroyd better terms than any other interested party.
Sunderland could pay Bothroyd around £30,000-a-week, the kind of cash few of the rivals for his signature could match, and they want to tie up the transfer quickly.
Bruce is desperate for more firepower after being caught out by the departure of Darren Bent to Aston Villa in the last window.
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