SUNDERLAND are attempting to make the most of West Bromwich Albion's failure to return to the Premiership by acquiring at least one of their most highly-rated talents.
As well as being interested in full-back Paul McShane, manager Roy Keane has been impressed by creative midfielder Jason Koumas and is sure to make his move within the next two weeks.
West Brom had been hoping to retain the services of both men if Tony Mowbray had led the Baggies back to the top-flight in his first season in charge at the Hawthorns.
But, having missed out on a possible £60m windfall by reclaiming a Premiership place, there are a number of players who will have to be moved on in the next couple of months.
Although Mowbray will be keen to avoid a major overhaul of his decent squad ahead of the new campaign, there is an acceptance some of the club's prize assets will have to go.
Middlesbrough are among a clutch of other clubs interested in striker Diomansy Kamara and Hungarian winger Zoltan Gera, while Keane feels he has seen enough of West Brom over the last nine months to know which men would benefit his squad.
In McShane and Koumas the Sunderland boss thinks West Brom have players more than capable of stepping up to the Premiership and helping his side become a force in their first season.
Keane is looking to add at least eight new faces to his squad during the close-season, while there could also be outgoings if there are suitable offers for certain members of his playing staff.
But a right-back and an attacking midfielder are high in his list of priorities, hence the reason why the West Brom duo are being tracked.
Keane twice watched the players in action recently. McShane, a 21-year-old from Ireland who spent two years on the books of Manchester United during Keane's time there, would command a fee of around £2m.
Koumas could cost more than £5m. The Welshman is understood to have a clutch of top clubs tracking him, including Celtic and Blackburn.
Keane will be heading into contract talks with Scottish winger Ross Wallace at pre-season training in early July.
Wallace has two years to run on his existing deal but when he arrived from Celtic last August an agreement was reached by both parties for an improved deal after the first year.
The left-midfielder's agent, Tony McGill, said: "Ross will be getting a new contract at Sunderland. He has a clause allowing him for a review.
"Ross was delighted with how the season went and Roy Keane was extremely pleased with his performances.
"We are talking with Sunderland and I would expect something to be sorted when he returns to pre-season training."
As well as pressing ahead with a major look at his squad for the Premiership, Keane is having to juggle his transfer dealings with his first steps towards gaining the UEFA Pro Licence.
Keane, who holds the A and B licences, is required to hold the Pro Licence to manage in the top-flight.
Provided he is enrolled on such a course before the start of the season, he is able to stay in his position.
He revealed: "I'm on two coaching courses and hopefully I'll squeeze in a holiday somewhere. The qualification takes a year to complete and consists of a minimum of 240 hours, of which 90 hours are practical."
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