Transfer blow for Sunderland as battle for Charlie Wyke hots up

Meanwhile, Sunderland's ongoing attempts to land Bradford City striker Charlie Wyke will face stiff competition from Championship side Bolton Wanderers.

Sunderland have been battling Peterborough United and Portsmouth for Eisa's signature and the Black Cats had a £1million bid turned down.

Championship side Bristol City have now come in with a better offer, with Eisa expected to join them early this week.

Bristol City are managed by Lee Johnson, the son of Cheltenham Town boss Gary Johnson.

Reports in Cheltenham say Bristol City have put in an offer larger up front than both Sunderland and Pompey, their offer is thought to be £1.5million in total over a period of time.

Cheltenham valued the striker at £1.5million.

Eisa has only been a Cheltenham player for a little over a year, he scored 25 goals and won the supporters' and players' player of the year awards.

Meanwhile, Bolton are known to be keen on Wyke and will push Sunderland all the way for his signature.

Bolton boss Phil Parkinson said: “The key area is the top of the pitch. We need more strength.

“Ken (Anderson) is waiting to hear back from one or two chairmen and we need to make progress in that area.

“At the start of the summer we gave the chairman a list of strikers that we thought were realistic and he asked me which one was at the very top of that list.

“I don’t want to discuss the name – I’m sure it’s documented – but we’re going for that one.”