The Scotsman newspaper reports that in a effort to convince Bhoys boss Gordon Strachan to make the deal, Sunderland manager Roy Keane is prepared to offer striker Anthony Stokes as part of the deal.

Republic of Ireland winger McGeady has been a reported target of the Black Cats and their north east rivals Newcastle United since the season ended.

Keane is a known admirer of the 22-year-old midfielder having been a team-mate at Parkhead two years ago.

Now he wants to test Celtic's resolve for Scotland's Players' Player of the Year.

The £10m offer would be a club record for Sunderland, topping the £9m they paid Hearts for Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon 12 months ago.

Strachan may be tempted by the offfer of former Arsenal trainee Stokes after three unsuccessful bids for Burnley's Northern Ireland striker Kyle Lafferty.

Stokes played in the SPL two seasons ago when on loan from the Gunners at Falkirk he scored 16 goals in as many games.

That earned the 20-year-old Dubliner a £2m move to Sunderland but he's struggled to make an impact at the Stadium of Light, scoring just three goals in 35 appearances.

He also fell foul of Keane when he and two team-mates turned up late for the team coach before a match against Barnsley – and was left behind by his furious manager.