SUNDERLAND face competition to bring Nathan Broadhead back to Wearside next season with League One Champions Wigan Athletic reportedly monitoring his situation.

The Black Cats intended to hold talks with Broadhead’s current club Everton over the possibility of re-signing him for another season. Despite persistent injury problems, Broadhead made a telling contribution scoring 13 goals in 27 appearances to help the club’s promotion to the Championship.

According to LiverpoolWorld, the Latics are considering their options with Broadhead becoming a potential target with a year left on his contract.

However, they have been potentially put off by Broadhead’s problems with fitness who spent months out of action last season. He recently had to pull out of Wales senior squad due to injury as they went on to seal their place at their first World Cup in 64 years.

With one year left on his current deal at Goodison Park, Broadhead’s future could lie elsewhere with Richarlison, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and other forwards currently ahead of him in the pecking order on Merseyside.

Despite the competition for his signature, Sunderland’s Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman revealed they will explore the possibility of bringing Broadhead back to the Stadium of Light.

He said: "We have to respect the fact that he is an Everton player. We have seen him as our player for the year, because we had to get the best out of him but now that the season is finished he unfortunately goes back to being an Everton player."