Stabaek chief executive Lars Hjorth has insisted that manager Bob Bradley is free to join Sunderland if he is approached by the Premier League club.
The Black Cats are looking for a new boss following the departure of Dick Advocaat on Sunday, and former United States man Bradley is reportedly in the frame for the job.
He was USA coach for five years, guiding them to the 2010 World Cup second round, and has taken Stabaek from relegation candidates to title challengers in Norway since taking charge in January 2014.
"Bob is allowed to speak with anybody if he wants. That is the contract he made with us when he came to Stabaek," Hjorth told talkSPORT.
"We haven't had an approach yet, but it Bob got an offer from a club in the Premier League, we would be very happy for him."
Former Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson has also been linked with the post along with ex-West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce.
