Wolfsburg striker Patrick Helmes is on the Sunderland radar.
The Sunday Mirror says Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has turned to 13-cap German striker Helmes after Liverpool emerged as favourites to take Craig Bellamy back from Manchester City.
Helmes, 27, only moved from Bayer Leverkusen to Wolfsburg in January for £7million, scoring three goals in 11 games.
It's the home stretch! 24/7 click for the best coverage of Sunderland's final transfer market moves