SUNDERLAND have made the first move in the fierce transfer battle for Tom Cannon, with the Black Cats set to be involved in a hotly-contested scrap for the Leicester striker's signature in the final days of the transfer window.

Norwich City, Stoke City and Sheffield United are all keen on Cannon, who doesn't feature in Steve Cooper's plans at Leicester.

But it's Sunderland who are first to act, with the Black Cats understood to have tabled a offer in the region of £5m for the 21-year-old.

It comes as the Championship table toppers look to strengthen their attack with two more new recruits before Friday night's deadline.

Cannon joined Leicester on a five-year contract from Everton 12 months ago but made just three starts and 13 appearances for the Foxes in the Championship last season.

He was left out of Cooper's squad for the weekend Premier League defeat at Fulham, with Leicester happy to allow the striker to leave this week. But it's not known how much they'd want for Cannon and whether Sunderland's opening bid will be enough.

Sunderland's offer is bound to spark their interested rivals into action, with Luton having also been linked.

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Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder was quizzed on Cannon earlier today but wouldn't be drawn on the striker.

He said: “There are a few players on our radar.

“I’m doing a Geoffrey Boycott again, playing with a straight bat. I don't think a lot of the younger generation will know who that is, but I do."

Sunderland have money to spend after Jack Clarke's move to Ipswich but the significant bid for Cannon still comes as something of a surprise.

Sunderland want to sign two attackers this week, with Caen striker Alexandre Mendy and Red Bull Salzburg's Roko Simic still on the club's radar.

Wilson Isidor joined at the end of last week but the 23-year-old is equally as comfortable playing on the left-flank as he is up-front.