Sunderland boss Gus Poyet admits chatting with Connor Wickham this week about his contract plans.
Poyet has continued to largely stay out of the negotiations on Wickham's future, with sporting director Lee Congerton still leading the ongoing contract talks.
"Yes, of course we talked about the contract, my opinion, his opinion and the situation," Poyet told the Sunderland Echo.
"But that has been dealt with by Lee.
"I try not to get involved in the financial side.
"First, I don't like it and secondly, if you know everything and there's a problem, it influences you, without a doubt.
"I don't want that. If he's under contract, fit, playing well, then the rest doesn't matter.
"I would like him to do the same and let his people deal with it."
