Sunderland’s manager, Gus Poyet, is hoping to add the Wales captain, Ashley Williams, to his squad after tabling a bid for the defender.

The club are believed to have made Swansea an offer of around £4m for the 29-year-old, who is yet to agree a new deal at the Liberty Stadium, prompting a flurry of interest. Williams has a year left on his current contract but could leave the Swans for free next summer if he does not agree an extension.

Poyet and Sunderland’s sporting director, Lee Congerton, are currently reshaping the squad at the Stadium of Light with the West Brom defender Billy Jones and Wigan midfielder Jordi Gomez already on board following the departures of Phil Bardsley and Craig Gardner. In addition, Sebastian Larsson has agreed a new three-year contract. But his fellow midfielder Jack Colback’s future remains uncertain with Newcastle United among his suitors.