SUNDERLAND will battle Fenerbahce boss Dick Advocaat in the race to sign Stoke's Charlie Adam.

The Potters midfielder has started his past four games for the club but David Moyes is eager to sign the Scotsman in the battle against relegation.

4 Charlie Adam could be on his way to Sunderland from Stoke Credit: PA:Press Association

SunSport told you yesterday how ex-Black Cats chief Advocaat was keen on bringing the 31-year-old to the Super Lig.

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The Dutch boss had Adam in his ranks when he was in charge of Rangers and was keen on taking him to Sunderland when in charge there.

But that move never materialised and now it looks like Moyes may be about to steal a march on his former Prem rival.

Adam's deal at the Bet365 takes him through to this summer and manager Mark Hughes will have the option to extend it for another year.

Adam has spent four-and-a-half years at Stoke and never played outside either England or Scotland so a move abroad will likely mean uprooting his entire family.

4 Will Charlie Adam be tempted by the move abroad... or will he fancy Sunderland? Credit: PA:Press Association

4 David Moyes has pinpointed Charlie Adam as the man he wants to save Sunderland Credit: Reuters

4 Dick Advocaat wants to bring Charlie Adam to Fenerbahce Credit: PA:Press Association

But with Fenerbahce fourth in the league - six points adrift of leaders Besiktas - he could be tempted by the challenge abroad.

Adam, frozen out of Hughes' starting XI early in the season, has previously attracted interest from Turkey.

Fenerbahce were joined in their admiration of the former Liverpool star by then Galatasaray chief Roberto Mancini.

Sunderland currently sit bottom of the Premier League, some three points adrift of safety.

They next face Spurs at home desperate to get out of the relegation zone.