SUNDERLAND are ready to listen to offers for Steven Fletcher, with Swansea City poised to solidify their interest in the Scotland international later this week.

Swans officials are understood to have made an initial inquiry about Fletcher, who recently entered the final year of his current deal at the Stadium of Light.

The 28-year-old cost £12m when the Black Cats signed him from Wolves three years ago, but his contractual situation means managing director Lee Congerton would be willing to accept around a third of that fee in order to rule out the possibility of losing him for nothing next summer.

Garry Monk has already added Andre Ayew from Marseille since the end of last season, but with Michu set to complete a move away from the Liberty Stadium in the next few days, the Swansea boss is keen to recruit one more forward before the transfer window closes.

Fletcher is one of his leading options, and Sunderland’s willingness to sell the Scotsman for the right price means a deal could well be concluded.

Dick Advocaat also has Jermain Defoe, Connor Wickham and Danny Graham tussling for the one central attacking role in his preferred formation, and Fletcher could be jettisoned in order to help recoup some of the outlay that has seen the Black Cats make four additions already since the end of last season.

Advocaat continues to work towards the opening game of the Premier League season on August 8, with Sunderland travelling to Doncaster Rovers on Wednesday before playing their final pre-season game in the German city of Hannover at the weekend.

Jordi Gomez will not be involved in either of those games, and the Spaniard is also set to miss the Premier League opener at Leicester City.

Gomez fractured his kneecap at the end of last season, and while he was able to return to light training during the recent tour of North America, he is not yet ready for competitive action.

“He (Gomez) will not be ready for the start of the season,” confirmed Advocaat. “But he will be an option when he is fit. He has qualities which we can use.”