Sunderland agree price for Stead

Jon Stead's career statistics

Blackburn striker Jonathan Stead could join Sunderland this week after the two clubs agreed a fee for his services.

Stead, 22, will hold talks with Black Cats boss Mick McCarthy to discuss terms of a potential transfer.

"Blackburn accepted a fee and gave Jon permission to speak to Sunderland," said Stead's agent John Seasman.

"Mick was pursuing him when he left Huddersfield and was disappointed he didn't sign but circumstances change and Jon wants to carry on his career."

Sunderland do face competition for the England Under-21 striker after Blackburn revealed they had given another club permission to talk to him.

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Stead, who is understood to be available for an initial £1.5m, opted for Rovers ahead of Sunderland in February last year and joined for £1.2m.

He enjoyed an excellent start to his career at Ewood Park and made light of the step up from Huddersfield, who were in League Two at the time of his switch, to the top flight.

But he scored only twice in 34 appearances last season and was in and out of the team under manager Mark Hughes, playing the full 90 minutes in only nine league games.