Sunderland weighs second bid for Andre Ayew

Sunderland are weighing a second bid for Swansea forward Andre Ayew after their first offer, believed to be around £10 million, was rejected.

The Ghanaian, who scored for Swansea against Sunderland last week, has been targeted by Sam Allardyce as the man to bolster his side's attacking options.

Ayew, 26, is Swansea's top scorer this season with seven goals in 20 league games, and it would be unusual if the Welshmen sold him to a relegation rival, particularly after Jonjo Shelvey's move to Newcastle.

But Sunderland made their intentions clear with an audacious bid, stealing a march on clubs like Liverpool and Leicester, who have also been linked with the forward, and may come back with an increased offer.

Ayew can play on both wings or as a striker, with Swansea boss Alan Curtis using him primarily as the frontman since he succeeded Garry Monk in December.

He would provide support to main man Jermain Defoe if he was lured to Sunderland, along with Steven Fletcher and new loan signing Dame N'Doye.

Danny Graham completes Allardyce's attacking options, but despite starting against Tottenham on Saturday, he has been linked with a move away from the Stadium of Light, with Championship side Blackburn reportedly leading the pursuit of the 30-year-old.

Ayew joined Swansea last June on a free transfer from Marseilles, where he spent eight years and played in both the Europa League and Champions League.

Jan Kirchhoff's difficult debut at White Hart Lane on Saturday may have persuaded Allardyce that proven Premier League players are a safer bets to help with the relegation battle, and Ayew has thrived in his first season of English football.

He scored a well-crafted goal against Sunderland in the Black Cats' 4-2 win at the Liberty Stadium last week, turning Lee Cattermole and firing past Vito Mannone from a tight angle.

He has over 60 Ghana caps and scored goals against the USA and Germany in the 2014 World Cup, as well as netting three times in the African Cup of Nations last year.

Before his move to Swansea, Ayew said he was relishing the challenge of playing in the Premier League.

"The Ghanaians love the Premiership and Asamoah Gyan, Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari all said the same thing. I think it's the best league and I wanted to come and play against the best players," he said.

His brother is Aston Villa forward Jordan Ayew and their father is Abedi Pele, who starred in Marseilles' Champions League triumph in 1993 and is regarded as one of the greatest African footballers of all time.