Sunderland are moving for Cardiff City striker Jay Bothroyd.
Bothroyd is being lined up by Sunderland as a replacement for imminent Aston Villa signing Darren Bent.
Determined to plug the gap up front before their next game, Sunderland have edged ahead of North East rivals Newcastle United in the race to sign the 28-year-old marksman, says the Daily Mail.
The Championship side are eager to hang on to their attacking spearhead but, with his contract running out at the end of the season, they may be hard pressed to resist a bid that could reach £3million.
