Celtic and Nottingham Forest are interested in signing Charlie Wyke with the prolific Sunderland striker set to become a free agent in a matter of weeks, as reported by the East Anglian Daily Times.
After becoming the first Sunderland player to break the 30-goal barrier since Kevin Phillips over 20 years ago, Wyke was always going to be a man in high demand this summer.
With the Black Cats suffering play-off heartbreak yet again – losing in a two-legged semi-final to Lincoln City – manager Lee Johnson will endure his fair share of sleepless nights between now and July 1.
How on earth does he replace the irreplaceable, especially if Wyke leaves as a free agent a month from now?
Sunderland are understandably desperate to agree a new contract with their 30-goal top scorer.
But, with all due respect, the 6ft 2ins targetman deserves better than to spend his Tuesday nights shivering in the wintery air of Cheltenham, Cambridge or Wimbledon.
Reports from Anglia claim that League One rivals Ipswich Town are interested in Wyke, as well as Sunderland teammates Josh Hawkes (below) and Max Power.
The North East native has far more tempting offers on the table, too, with Nottingham Forest, Cardiff City, Celtic and Russian giants CSKA Moscow also interested.
Wyke may also be intrigued by the prospect of returning to his hometown club Middlesbrough, having risen through the ranks at the Riverside before being forced out to Carlisle United in 2015.
Should Nottingham Forest win the race, Wyke will be tasked with beefing up a strike force which mustered a miserable 37 goals in 46 games last season.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
