SUNDERLAND have been in contact with PSV Eindhoven officials over Holland international Georginio Wijnaldum – but are yet to table a formal offer for the in-demand midfielder.

Reports began to circulate yesterday suggesting the Black Cats had bid £11m for the 24-year-old, but while there is a definite interest in acquiring his services, discussions have not yet reached such an advanced stage.

Sunderland sporting director Lee Congerton is prepared to trump the £10m offer that PSV rejected from Russian club Zenit St Petersburg earlier this summer, but is waiting to receive some guarantees about Wijnaldum’s willingness to move to the Stadium of Light.

The Dutchman expects to leave PSV this summer, but is currently assessing his options with a number of other clubs also having outlined an intention to join the chase.

French Ligue 1 duo Monaco and Marseille are understood to have been in contact with Wijnaldum’s representatives, while Schalke are also expected to table an offer for the creative midfielder, who can play in a withdrawn position or as the attacking fulcrum in the ‘number ten’ role.

Despite battling against relegation in each of the last two seasons, Sunderland are confident they can put together an attractive enough package to persuade Wijnaldum to move to Wearside.

Dick Advocaat worked with the playmaker during his time at PSV, and is hoping the pair’s personal relationship will play a positive role in any future discussions.

However, at this stage, talks remain at a formative stage, with Wijnaldum seemingly in no rush to decide on his future.

Similarly, while it has been suggested that Sunderland are close to agreeing a deal with Fenerbahce for Senegalese striker Moussa Sow, the forward is not believed to be one of the club’s leading attacking targets.

Sow has been linked with Sunderland in a succession of transfer windows, and the club scouted him on a number of occasions on the instruction of former director of football Roberto De Fanti.

The Black Cats’ hierarchy are aware of his potential availability as he enters the final year of his current deal, although Fenerbahce would like to keep him and have offered him a new deal to remain in Turkey.

Meanwhile, Advocaat is set to field Jack Rodwell as a central defender in pre-season training in an attempt to assess the former England international’s suitability for a role in the back four.

Rodwell briefly played as a defender when he broke into the senior ranks with Everton, but has spent most of his subsequent time playing in central midfield.

He was unable to hold down a regular midfield spot under Advocaat in the final two months of last season, and while the Sunderland head coach regards him as a valuable asset, he is looking to field a more dynamic central unit next season.

As a result, Rodwell will spend at least some of Sunderland’s pre-season programme playing in the back four, where he will be expected to challenge John O’Shea, Wes Brown, Santiago Vergini and Sebastian Coates, who is set to rejoin from Liverpool, for a place in the starting line-up.

* Sunderland will open a new outdoor Fan Zone when they host Norwich City in their opening home game of the 2015-16 season.

The fan area, which is currently awaiting planning approval, will be located at the South-West corner of the Stadium of Light, and feature bar and food outlets with seated and covered areas as well as live music.

As well as showcasing local musicians, the Fan Zone will also encompass radio roadshows, a giant screen playing match highlights and classic games, and appearances from former and current players.

The Fan Zone will open three hours before kick-off and for an hour after the final whistle.