League One Sunderland are reportedly competing with Scottish Premiership champions Celtic for Ayr United striker Lawrence Shankland.
Sunderland have offered a contract to free agent striker Lawrence Shankland but the Northern Echo points out that Celtic have also made their interest clear.
After plundering 34 goals in 41 games for Ayr United in the Scottish second tier last season, a prolific centre-forward has a number of offers on the table as he weighs up the first big move of his professional career.
Shankland has been linked with clubs on both sides of the border with his contract set to expire at the end of this month.
And the Northern Echo reports that Sunderland manager Jack Ross has offered a contract to a player he worked with during a spell in charge of St Mirren.
The report adds, however, that Scottish Premiership champions Celtic have expressed an interest too and the chance to wear the famous green and white hoops could be very difficult to turn down given the prospect of European football and domestic titles.
Shankland could be tasked with replacing the goals of Moussa Dembele, while the departures of Timo Weah and Oliver Burke also leave Celtic short of depth in attack.
