Wolves are demanding £12 million for striker Steven Fletcher.
The Journal says the Black Cats have already held preliminary discussions with Fletcher's Edinburgh-based agent and were fed back positive messages about the striker's willingness to relocate to Wearside and spearhead a refreshed Sunderland squad.
But it will take at least £12million to encourage Wolves to start talking - while an astonishing fee of £14million is also being talked about in the Black Country.