Peterborough United midfielder Marcus Maddison has reportedly emerged as a transfer target for Sunderland.

Over the last six weeks, Sunderland have suffered relegation from the Championship and made changes in the dugout after a successful takeover by a consortium led by Stewart Donald, and it now appears that the Black Cats are ready to make their move in the summer window.

According to the Daily Mail, the North-East outfit are preparing to make a bid for Maddison, who has been given permission to leave Posh.

Maddison still has two years left on his contract but an agreement with owner Darragh MacAnthony means that the playmaker is free to leave for another club, providing that an offer matches Peterborough's valuation.

This season, Maddison contributed eight goals and numerous assists from 41 appearances at the third tier of English football.

Any transfer could potentially be funded by the sale of Didier Ndong, who could leave Sunderland for Torino for £6.6m.