Wigan Athletic must drop their asking price for Maynor Figueroa if he is to make a move to Sunderland.
The Guardian says Sunderland manager Steve Bruce is stepping up a long-standing pursuit of Figueroa, the Honduras left-back but the board are reluctant to meet Wigan's current £7m asking price.
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez is prepared to sell, as he negotiates with Sporting Gijon for potential replacement Roberto Canella.