With Sunderland still short of first team options heading into pre season, Wolves have knocked back a bid of around £1m for Dion Sanderson. 

The 21-year-old's future remains up in the air with several Championship sides hunting his signature alongside Sunderland. Sheffield United have been credited with an interest in his services. 

Bruno Lage replaced Nuno Espirito Santo as Wolves boss, but the Molineux hierarchy have already decided to cash in on Sanderson this summer rather than wait for their new manager to assess the 21-year-old in pre-season training.

The Molineux club have also already brought in Colombian centre back Yerson Musquera for £4.5m from Atletico Nacional so are willing to listen to offers

Sunderland boss Lee Johnson has made Sanderson his number one summer target after the defender became an increasingly influential figure in the second half of last season.

Sanderson forced his way into the first team at the turn of the year, and was a key factor in Sunderland’s rise up the table in the second half of the season. Johnson does not regard it as a coincidence that his side’s form dipped when the centre-half sustained an injury and was forced to return to Wolves before the end of the campaign.

While the Black Cats will have to work within a fairly strict budgetary limit this summer, there should be scope to meet Wolves’ asking price, which is likely to be around £2m.