Sunderland and Barnsley are fighting it out to sign St Johnstone left-back Scott Tanser, reports say.
Football Insider claims the Black Cats and the Tykes are in the market for a left-sided defender and are hoping to agree a deal with the Saints.
The 26-year-old is out of contract in the summer and has reportedly turned down a new deal.
Sunderland head coach, Lee Johnson is believed to want cover and competition for Denver Hume and Callum McFadzean, after he was forced to play Dion Sanderson in a makeshift role against Northampton Town.
However, The Saints have not given up hope of tying Tanser down on a new deal, reports suggest. They're set to offer the full-back improved terms to tempt him to stay in Scotland.
Tanser moved across the border in 2017 after leaving Port Vale on a free transfer and has since established himself as first choice left-back during his stay at McDiarmid Park.
He featured 31 times across all competitions in first season at the club and then went on to play 45 times out of a possible 48 fixtures in the 2018/19 campaign.
The Blackpool born defender is versatile and can also operate in a more advanced role on the left flank.
