Sunderland retain hope of securing Connor Wickham to a new deal.
The Mirror says the striker has a year left on his contract and Sunderland want to protect their £8million investment of three years ago, rather than lose him on a free next summer.
Wickham is the subject of a £4m bid from West Ham United which has been rejected. Crystal Palace are also said to have an interest.
The Wearsiders are offering well short of the wages the player and his representatives want, but Black Cats boss Gus Poyet is adamant Wickham still has a future at the club.
He said: "Connor is a player we want to keep, a massive part of our miracle Great Escape last season and he is a very important part of our plans."
