SUNDERLAND officials have spoken to Garry Monk about the managerial vacancy at the Stadium of Light – and are confident of persuading the former Leeds United boss to choose the Black Cats over Middlesbrough and Hull City.

Martin Bain has stepped up his search for David Moyes’ successor in the last few days, with Derek McInnes and Simon Grayson both figuring prominently in his thoughts.

However, Monk is regarded as an equally strong contender, and Bain has spoken with the 38-year-old and his representatives to underline Sunderland’s interest in his potential candidature.

Monk has also spoken to officials at Hull City, and is known to feature prominently on Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson’s shortlist as he looks to secure a long-term successor to Aitor Karanka, but Bain is hoping Sunderland’s pulling power remains strong despite the club’s struggles last season.

The Black Cats are in a difficult financial position with around £110m of debt, and their owner, Ellis Short, is looking to sell his 100 per cent stake, but Bain is stressing the club’s stature and current squad strength when he speaks to potential candidates.

While Sunderland will lose up to a dozen players this summer because of contracts that are coming to an end or loan deals that have reached a conclusion, a new manager will still be able to call on the likes of Fabio Borini, Duncan Watmore, Lee Cattermole, Jack Rodwell and Lamine Kone as they look to fashion a promotion push.

There will be money to spend on new additions, and while it is widely expected that Jordan Pickford will be sold to one of his Premier League suitors, a large chunk of the money that will be raised from his sale will be available to reinvest.

Despite their off-field situation, Sunderland are arguably in a more stable state than Hull, whose owners, the Allams, remain hugely unpopular in the eyes of a large number of supporters. Bain has also attempted to persuade Monk that they are a bigger club than Middlesbrough, with next season’s average attendance at the Stadium of Light still expected to exceed the 30,000-mark despite Sunderland’s recent struggles.

Monk, who has also been linked with the current vacancy at Crystal Palace, is one of the most in-demand managers in the country, and the former Swansea boss is currently considering his options after leaving Leeds earlier this month.

The terms of his departure from Elland Road do not preclude him from making a rapid return to management, but sources claim he is keen to take his time given the range of options that are available to him.

He has listened to what Middlesbrough have to offer, although Gibson has also held detailed discussions with Nigel Pearson and Steve Agnew as he attempts to decide what direction to go in following last season’s relegation.

Pearson has previous experience of winning promotion from the Championship with Leicester City, while Agnew is still regarded as a viable candidate despite his failure to keep Boro in the top-flight last season.

Both Boro and Sunderland have around three weeks before their players are due to return for pre-season, but decisions about contracts are pending at both clubs.

Sunderland are yet to announce their retained list, with Seb Larsson one of eight players currently due to leave at the end of the month as their contracts expire.

The midfielder’s agent claims he has been offered moves to Turkey and China, but Larsson, who is currently on international duty with Sweden, has refused to clarify where he will be playing next season.

“I have not decided anything,” said Larsson. “You can ask about any countries in the world you want, there are options. I will focus on the national side and then take (a decision) after these matches.

“What I can say is I am motivated to continue, and obviously you want to play at the highest level possible.”