TRANSFER EXCLUSIVE: Sunderland table bids for Bradford City striker Charlie Wyke & a midfielder

Sunderland are very much ramping up their search for new players, and we understand that two bids were tabled on Friday as the club look to strengthen the core of their side with plenty of time to spare before the season begins.

Yesterday afternoon we brought to you the news that the club are focused on signing the attacking trio of Billy Sharp, Ivan Toney and Charlie Wyke - and in the midst of that news, the first solid move was made in order to bring one of the three men to the club.

An official six-figure bid was tabled for Middlesbrough native Wyke yesterday, and the club very much see him as one of their top targets ahead of next season.

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Peterborough United were also thought to be keen on the Bradford City striker and had a bid rejected earlier this week, but they signed Jason Cummings on loan from Nottingham Forest yesterday and, having brought in Matt Godden from Stevenage Borough earlier in the window, it would seem their business with regards to signing strikers is over for the time being.

Wyke is apparently extremely interested in a move to Sunderland, and all parties are hopeful of reaching a resolution sooner rather than later.

We also understand that a cash bid was made yesterday afternoon for an as-yet unnamed Championship central midfielder, and that the club are very confident of securing their signature.

Although the club have so far only made free transfer signings, that’s in large part due to a need to get the out-of-contract players Jack Ross wanted on board while they were still available, particularly Jon McLaughlin and Dylan McGeouch.

But with the majority of next season’s players already through the door, the focus now switches to spending some money in the transfer market on key areas of the squad where we need the type of quality that will separate us from the rest of the clubs at this level.