NORWEGIAN side Stabaek insist they have received no approach from Sunderland for manager Bob Bradley.

Reports on Wednesday named Bradley as a surprise contender for the post at the Stadium of Light, while the odds on the former USA coach being named next Sunderland boss were cut to leave the American alongside Sam Allardyce at the head of the betting.

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But a spokesperson at Stabaek said they have not received any approach from Sunderland for Bradley, nor had anyone from Sunderland been in contact with Bradley himself.

The Norwegian top-flight club insist at this point that any reports linking Sunderland with Bradley are “pure speculation”.

Bradley has steered Stabaek into a title-challenging position having only overseen promotion two years ago.

Burnley boss Sean Dyche continues to be linked with the vacant Black Cats post while former Leicester boss Nigel Pearson is another name in the frame.

Reports also linked former Inter Milan boss Walter Mazzarri and Slavisa Jokanovic, who guided Watford to the Premier League last season, with the job.

Sunderland are keen to have a managed in place in time for their next match, against West Brom, a week on Saturday.