Sunderland are closing in on the signing of Liverpool striker Jayden Danns. It would bring to an end a month-long hunt for a new forward.

The Black Cats have been looking to bolster their strikeforce this month. They have seen approaches for Ben Brereton Diaz and Tom Cannon turned down, with the duo moving to rivals Sheffield United instead.

Sunderland are also interested in Sporting winger Marcus Edwards, though he looks set for a medical at another of the club's Championship promotion rivals, Burnley. And they were linked overnight with Red Star Belgrade striker Pape Cherif Ndiaye, who has been scoring in the Champions League this season.

READ MORE: Jayden Danns, Pape Ndiaye and 4 other Sunderland transfers they could complete on deadline day

READ MORE: Middlesbrough vs Sunderland TV channel, live stream, team news, kick off time and referee

However, a move for Danns looks most likely. Sunderland are now understood to be in pole position to land the 19-year-old ahead of Hull City and Blackburn Rovers. It is hoped the teenager will travel to Wearside for a medical this afternoon and potentially take in the game against Middlesbrough this evening if his switch goes through in time.

Hull had emerged as a potential destination earlier today, but Sunderland's position challenging for promotion is a more attractive proposition for the player.

Danns is highly-rated at Liverpool. He has played four times for the senior side this season and is seen as part of the first-team squad by manager Arne Slot, who listed the academy graduate among his attacking options during a press conference last month.

Slot said: “We have three options, but Jayden did really well when he came in so we have actually four options and it's up to us as a club to make the best possible decision for the near future but also the long-term future of this club.”

The talented teenager even started for Liverpool last week in the Champions League defeat to PSV Eindhoven. It appears, however, that Slot and director of football Richard Hughes have decided loaning the player out will aid his development.