Sunderland have rejected an approach from Scunthorpe United for Duncan Watmore.
Sunderland believe that Watmore's progress is currently best-served by training at the Academy of Light, unless they receive a uniquely attractive loan offer.
Iron boss Russ Wilcox revealed: "Sunderland certainly know we're after the player.
"We've made three or four enquiries right from back in pre-season.
"It's a player we keep monitoring, a player we keep looking at, a player we'd like to see here at Glanford Park.
"But the answer at the moment is no."
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