Connor Wickham is close to penning new terms with Sunderland.
The Daily Star Sunday says the Black Cats will step up efforts to tie the England Under-21s striker to a new deal.
Wickham, 21, is out of contract next summer and West Ham tested Sunderland with two bids rising to £5million before the summer transfer window came to a close. Crystal Palace were also interested in the frontman.
Signed from Ipswich for £8m in 2011, Wickham grabbed five goals in three games to spark Sunderland's great escape from relegation last season.
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