Sunderland have welcomed the interest of AS Monaco in winger Adam Johnson.
The Sunderland Echo says while Everton and Hull's interest has only extended to a potential loan, Liverpool and Monaco have been credited with - and have the financial resources - to make an offer for a permanent deal.
Sunderland could look to win back the bulk of the £10m invested in him.
And as one of the club's biggest wage earners, any sale would help free up significant resources to aid Gus Poyet's rebuilding programme.
