THE future of Sunderland-linked Tom Cannon could move closer to being resolved as Everton push to sign Youssef Chermiti from Sporting Lisbon.

Teenager Chermiti has emerged as Everton's top target as Sean Dyche priorities the addition of cover and competition for Dominic Calvert-Lewin - with a string of Championship clubs waiting in the wings in the bid to sign Cannon.

The 20-year-old impressed on loan at Preston in the second half of last season, scoring eight goals - with North End boss Ryan Lowe desperate to take Cannon back to Deepdale this summer.

Sheffield Wednesday and Stoke are also keen, with Sunderland also understood to have shown an interest.

It's understood, however, that Sunderland's preference was a permanent move for Cannon, while Everton - at this stage - are favouring another loan move. According to some reports this summer, the Toffees are also asking for a £1m loan fee. It's not clear at this stage whether the stance of Everton or Sunderland will change.

A return to Preston looked to be on the cards for Cannon when he was pictured in the stands at Deepdale watching North End's friendly win over Aberdeen, but it then emerged that on the back of his loan spell last season he was a guest of midfielder Ryan Ledson.

Stoke have since been strongly linked but boss Alex Neil wouldn't be drawn on the reported interest, saying: "I’m not going to talk about anybody else’s players, I don’t think that’s fair because he’s not our player. I don’t discuss other people’s players. We are looking to add more players to our squad, whether Tom is one of them or not remains to be seen, but we still have bits to add."

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Strengthening up-front remains Sunderland's transfer priority between now and the deadline at the start of next month.

The Black Cats added Eliezer Mayenda to their ranks last week but the teenager suffered a hamstring injury in his first training session and is now set for a couple of months on the sidelines.

Mowbray then revealed, however, that even before Maydena's injury, Sunderland's plan was to still bring in another senior striker.

The Sunderland head coach has had huge success in the past with Premier League loanees.

Asked earlier this summer whether that was a market Sunderland would again look to take advantage of, Mowbray said:  "Our preference would be to sign our own players but once you get that business done, if there's still budget left it's always a market you look at.

"As a club we work to the budget, so while you never know how much a signing is going to cost exactly until it's signed and done, I think it's always a potential and as we saw last year with Amad, they can be a real benefit to the football team. So if the budget allows it's something we should and will be looking at."