JUST IN: Sunderland intends to let three players to leave the team in order to finance the €185 million purchase of a double attacker.

Former Hull City manager Liam Rosenior is now the overwhelming favourite to become the next manager of Sunderland. The Tigers boss, who was replaced at the end of last season and is now succeeded at the MKM Stadium by Tim Walter, has been linked with a number of posts in recent weeks.

Rosenior’s reputation was only strengthened by leading City to a seventh-placed finish, with the ex-Tigers boss taking his time to assess his options after a number of clubs are understood to have expressed interest in talks. Sunderland’s search for a new manager has been something of a circus since sacking Michael Beale back in mid-February.

Mike Dodds was placed in caretaker charge while the club explored their options, which included waiting on former Reims boss Will Still to take the role on Wearside. However, after keeping the club waiting for weeks, Still has now opted for the RC Lens position, citing ‘staffing and investment concerns’ at the Stadium of Light.

The decision has thrust Rosenior back into the spotlight as the next choice, with reports on Wearside suggesting Rosenior met with Sunderland chairman Kyril Louis-Dreyfus last week to discuss the job, with the Sunderland top man stating on Friday that an appointment is ‘imminent’.

A switch to the Stadium of Light will see Rosenior oversee a club in direct competition with City for a play-off berth next season, with the fixtures due out in two weeks when the first clash between the clubs will be confirmed.