Black Cats set fee for flop striker

SUNDERLAND are prepared to let Danny Graham leave in a cut- price £ 1million deal, as they accept a hefty loss on the striker.

Graham is due to report back to Sunderland for the start of pre- season training on Saturday after spending the whole of last season out on loan – first at Hull and then at his former club Middlesbrough.

But his return to Wearside is expected to be short- lived, with both the club and the player accepting that there is no prospect of a second opportunity with the Black Cats.

The Echo understands that Sunderland have put Graham up for sale with a £ 1m price tag – just 18 months after splashing out £ 5m to bring the striker to Wearside from Premier League rivals Swansea.

It is thought that two of Graham’s former clubs, Boro and Watford, have made enquiries over his situation, although there are question marks over whether either will follow up that interest.

Watford signed Udinese frontman Matej Vydra on a season- long loan last week and are unlikely to sign another striker unless Norwich and Burnley target Troy Deeney departs.

In contrast, Boro are still eager to boost their attacking options with Marvin Emnes joining Swansea and Lukas Jutkiewicz expected to depart.

Graham netted six goals in 17 starts for Boro after returning to the Riverside for a second spell in January and boss Aitor Karanka confirmed at the end of last season that he was interested in resigning the 28- year- old.

But with two years to run on Graham’s lucrative Sunderland contract, Boro realise they would need to make a significant financial commitment to land the former Carlisle man and there are doubts over whether Karanka has those funds at his disposal.

Bolton were very keen on taking Graham on loan in January, but the Trotters are now hopeful of beating Wolves, Wigan and SheffieldWednesday to their main target Jutkiewicz after the 25- yearold spent the second half of last season with Dougie Freedman’s side.

Given Graham’s goals return in the Championship at Watford and Boro, and in the Premier League with Swansea, sources close to the player are hopeful that there will be no shortage of suitors.

But the sticking point in any deal is likely to be whether an agreement over Graham’s wages can be reached after he became one of the club’s high earners, following his capture on deadline day in January 2013.