Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill is understood to be considering buying out Derry City's sell-on clause for James McClean.
McClean, 22, joined Sunderland in 2011 for a figure in the region of £350,000, with Derry set to receive 15 percent of any future transfer fee should the winger be sold.
O'Neill will reportedly offer £500,000, according to The Mirror, but Derry are understood to be prepared to wait for a potentially bigger fee in the future.
McClean has scored five goals for the Black Cats this season.
