Celtic will step up their pursuit to sign Sunderland striker Charlie Wyke this week, according to Football Insider.

The Lowdown: A number of sides interested

The Hoops aren’t the only side interested in the 28-year-old, who, at this moment in time, will become a free agent in two weeks’ time.

Wyke has been offered a new contract at the Stadium of Light and has also held talks with Championship clubs Cardiff City, Nottingham Forest and Millwall.

The Hoops were increasingly confident of signing the forward, who scored 30 goals last season, at the beginning of the week, and there has since been a fresh update.

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The Latest: Source shares Celtic plans

A Hoops source informed Football Insider that Celtic will step up their pursuit of Wyke with a concrete offer during talks this week.

A new striker is a priority for Celtic, with the report adding the Scottish giants will offer the forward a long-term deal.

The source also claimed that Wyke is ‘very keen’ to test himself at Celtic Park.

The Verdict: An ideal Griffiths replacement?

Wyke enjoyed a free-scoring campaign in the third-tier of English football last season, so should the Hoops decide to let Leigh Griffiths go this summer, he could be a shrewd replacement.

Celtic also set to lose Odsonne Edouard to Leicester City, so bringing in another forward with a higher pedigree could be a smart move to join Albian Ajeti and possibly Wyke.

Wyke certainly knows where the back of the net is, and having players like that at Parkhead could be crucial in Ange Postecoglou’s first season in charge, but it feels like more will be needed to fill the void if Edouard does depart.

In other news: Celtic are now tracking £8.6m star at the absolute peak of his powers, find out more here.