Sunderland are hoping to nab Gary Madine from their Championship relegation rivals Bolton Wanderers but Cardiff City have made the first move.
The prospect of Gary Madine leaving simply does not bare thinking about for Bolton Wanderers. The striker is their top scorer with nine goals and is clearly their best bet for avoiding an immediate return to League One.
Madine has netted winners in successive Championship games against Sheffield United and Hull City, victories which have seen Bolton leap out of the relegation zone and dump Sunderland to the bottom of the table.
No wonder the Black Cats are keen to relieve Bolton of their star man this month. The Sunderland Echo claimed that they are very interested in the north east-born centre-forward, and are now in even greater need for reinforcements after Lewis Grabban’s loan spell at the Stadium of Light was cut short by parent club Bournemouth.
But it appears Sunderland have now fallen behind in the chase for Madine with another Championship club starting the bidding.
According to The Mail (Live blog, 12.35pm), Cardiff City have had a £1 million rejected. Bolton do not want to sell but may be forced to due to their precarious financial situation and the Bluebirds are considering returning with a second offer.
Cardiff manager Neil Warnock wants another striker to aid their push for promotion.
It remains to be seen, however, how Sunderland react. Bolton are understood to value Madine at about £3 million; a fee too rich for the cash-strapped Wearsiders unless they can find someone willing to take Didier Ndong, Jack Rodwell or Lamine Kone off their hands.
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