SUNDERLAND continue to push towards completing a deal to re-sign Nathan Broadhead with reports suggesting he will be offered a new contract at Everton.

The Black Cats held discussions earlier this summer with the Toffees shortly after promotion to the Championship but progress has been slow in the months ahead.

Broadhead was part of Everton’s pre-season programme and flew out with the squad on their tour of the USA. However, he failed to make a single appearance in the states.

Despite his lack of game time over the summer months, reports from The Athletic suggest that Broadhead has been offered a new contract with Everton. His existing deal at Goodison Park is due to expire next summer.

Should Broadhead put pen-to-paper on an extension at the club, the Black Cats would have to push for a loan deal rather than a permanent. A number of Championship clubs are said to be monitoring the 24-year-old’s situation alongside Sunderland but the Black Cats have held their interest throughout the summer with Alex Neil wanting ‘four or five’ more signings before the end of the window.

Earlier this summer, Director of Football Kristjaan Speakman said: “We will have a conversation with Everton this week (after promotion), to see where they are at with it and where we are at with it, and see if that’s aligned. 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.

“Look, he’s had some incredible moments and he’s been an inspiration in many respects in terms of some of the goals he’s scored. It has been harder for him of late because of injury but you can’t take away from the fact that he has got all the attributes to go and play at Championship level.”

Sunderland have bolstered their attacking department over the summer with the loan signing of striker Ellis Simms who has also made the move from Goodison Park.

The Black Cats return to Championship action on Saturday when they make the trip to Ashton Gate to face Bristol City.