Sunderland are the latest English team to be linked with Dundalk's Daryl Horgan.
The Daily Telegraph report Sunderland have held an interest in him for several months and are thought to be leading the race to sign the 24-year-old.
The Dundalk winger, who made the Ireland squad last week for the 1-0 win against Austria in Vienna, has already been linked with Newcastle while Aston Villa and Rangers are also said to be interested.
The Telegraph also claim that Sunderland are keeping an eye on his Dundalk team-mate, centre-back Andy Boyle who was also in the Ireland squad.
Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez was said to have sent scouts to watch Horgan at a Europa League tie against Zenit Saint Petersburg with a view to keeping tabs on his development.
Mick McCarthy's Ipswich Town were also linked with the player.
Major League Soccer and the Australian league were also mooted as potential destinations.
Colorado Rapids were linked with interest with adding him to a roster that already contains Irish names in the shape of Kevin Doyle and Sean St Ledger.
Meanwhile, Melbourne City denied that they were interested in signing him.
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