Sunderland: Black Cats among clubs interested in West Ham playmaker

Grayson has turned his attention to strengthening Sunderland’s attacking options after landing his first three players since taking over from David Moyes.

The Black Cats boss, who is also considering centre-back targets, has heard Snodgrass could be available after failing to make the sort of impact West Ham would have liked in his first six months since leaving Hull in an £8m deal.

Premier League new-boys Brighton have already been credited with an interest which would certainly complicate matters, particularly because of the player’s top-flight wage.

But Grayson, who got the best out of him during his time in charge at Elland Road, would be keen to at least have a go at persuading him to give Sunderland’s promotion bid a massive boost.

Sunderland have money to spend, even if it is not as much as many other clubs in the Championship, but Grayson would hope an initial loan deal could be enough to prise Snodgrass into a move that would enable him to live nearer to his Glaswegian roots.

Garry Monk, who is already close to buying Norwich’s Jonny Howson ahead of Sunderland, would also been keen if the price was right, with Middlesbrough likely to be another reluctant to pay the sort of £8m fee the Hammers paid at the turn of the year.

Middlesbrough pushed hard to buy Snodgrass in January, only to lose out to the Hammers who were prepared to pay more money.

Grayson knows it is important to make progress in his search for new forwards because of a distinct lack of players in the final third. Preston’s Jordan Hugill is the leading striker target, whereas Snodgrass would be more of an attacking midfielder.

The Sunderland manager has successfully landed Everton defensive duo Ty Browning and Brendan Galloway on loan, with winger Aiden McGeady also due to arrive from Goodison Park in a £2m deal.

But Jermain Defoe’s departure to Bournemouth and Fabio Borini’s move to AC Milan, following on from Victor Anichebe leaving for China, has left Grayson with just teenagers Joel Asoro and Josh Maja to play up front.

There is the option of playing Duncan Watmore in that role, having previously operated there, but he tended to play wide last season and is battling to return to full fitness after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury last season.

Middlesbrough-born Hugill, who had a spell on loan at Hartlepool two seasons ago, is expected to leave Preston and there has already been a £2.5m bid rejected from Ipswich. It is understood the Lilywhites are looking for £3m.

Grayson is well liked by Snodgrass and Hugill and a deal for the latter is more likely at this stage purely because of the finances involved, even if Sunderland are willing to do what they can to bring in Snodgrass too.

Sunderland boss Grayson, speaking from Austria before returning for the first pre-season friendly with Bury tomorrow night, said: “It has been a whirlwind four or five days. I feel like I have been here three years already!

"I have been constantly on the phone, trying to do some deals, getting to know the players and the staff. Once we get back to England we are into the game against Bury. It will be nice for the supporters to see the team again.

"We are not the finished article with the squad and what we have been doing, it has been about the fitness levels. We will put out a team as another training exercise and then over the next few weeks it will all be more a custom of the start of the season and throughout the season.”

Sunderland’s Easter game against Derby County at Pride Park has been moved. The game was originally scheduled for Saturday, March 31, but will take place a day earlier at 3pm on Friday, March 30.

Tickets for the friendly game with Celtic on Saturday, July 29 (3pm) are on sale. Adult tickets are priced £15, with over 65s able to get to the game for £12 and under 22s priced at £7. Children under 16 can get a ticket for £5. A family ticket (one adult & one child under 16) in the North-West corner of the Stadium of Light is £18.