Reports emerged yesterday stating that the recently-demoted Championship outfit had lodged an offer of £2m for the 24-year-old.
Following the Latics' approach, it is understood that a bid has been accepted by the Black Cats ahead of a proposed move to the DW Stadium, according to Sky Sports News.
The Republic of Ireland international was also thought to be a loan target for Blackburn Rovers.
Restore Data
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS | |
| 1 | Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd | 17 | 11 | 4 | 2 | 24 | 9 | 15 | 35 |
| 2 | Burnley | 17 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 21 | 6 | 15 | 33 |
| 3 | Sunderland | 17 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 26 | 12 | 14 | 33 |
| 4 | Leeds UnitedLeeds | 16 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 28 | 12 | 16 | 32 |
| 5 | Watford | 17 | 9 | 2 | 6 | 26 | 24 | 2 | 29 |
| 6 | Middlesbrough | 16 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 29 | 19 | 10 | 27 |
| 7 | West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom | 17 | 6 | 9 | 2 | 18 | 11 | 7 | 27 |
| 8 | Millwall | 16 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 19 | 14 | 5 | 24 |
| 9 | Norwich CityNorwich | 17 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 31 | 25 | 6 | 22 |
| 10 | Blackburn RoversBlackburn | 15 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 19 | 17 | 2 | 22 |
| 11 | Bristol City | 17 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 20 | 21 | -1 | 22 |
| 12 | Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds | 17 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 20 | 26 | -6 | 22 |
| 13 | Stoke CityStoke | 17 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 19 | 20 | -1 | 21 |
| 14 | Derby CountyDerby | 16 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 20 | 20 | 0 | 20 |
| 15 | Swansea CitySwansea | 16 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 19 |
| 16 | Luton TownLuton | 16 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 18 | 26 | -8 | 18 |
| 17 | Coventry CityCoventry | 17 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 22 | 25 | -3 | 17 |
| 18 | Oxford UnitedOxford Utd | 17 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 19 | 27 | -8 | 17 |
| 19 | Preston North EndPreston | 17 | 3 | 8 | 6 | 16 | 24 | -8 | 17 |
| 20 | Plymouth ArgylePlymouth | 17 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 18 | 34 | -16 | 17 |
| 21 | Cardiff CityCardiff | 16 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 15 | 24 | -9 | 16 |
| 22 | Hull City | 17 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 16 | 23 | -7 | 15 |
| 23 | Portsmouth | 15 | 2 | 6 | 7 | 16 | 28 | -12 | 12 |
| 24 | Queens Park RangersQPR | 16 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 13 | 26 | -13 | 11 |
| > Championship Full Table | |||||||||
