The Latics are hopeful of sealing a £2m transfer for the Republic of Ireland international but could face competition from Blackburn Rovers and QPR.

However, Coyle is confident that he can lure the 24-year-old to the club after falling in the pecking order at Sunderland following the signing of Emanuele Giaccherini, reports the Daily Mail.

Coyle said: 'We're chasing one very good player as we speak. Whether we're able to get him in remains to be seen, but I'm certainly not finished adding to the quality we have here.'

On the chances of losing some of his key men, the boss added: ‘We know that rival clubs are more than aware of the quality we have at this football club.

‘All I can do as a manager is prepare them for the games and concentrate on that.

Everything else is out of our control, but we still haven't even had an enquiry for any of our players let alone a firm bid.

‘As a manager, I am comfortable with that but, like anything else, we are always looking to plan ahead. And I am looking to add to the squad, not dismantle it.’

McClean has made 69 appearances for the Black Cats scoring 11 goals.since his move from Derry City in 2011 for a fee of £350,000.