Soccer:Wolves are understood to have made an offer in excess of €13.5 million for three Manchester United players, including Republic of Ireland midfielder Darron Gibson, to make up for the imminent departure of Jordan Henderson to Liverpool.

Sunderland wasted little time in attempting to bolster their squad and are believed to have tabled a joint offer for Gibson, defender Wes Brown and an unnamed third member of Alex Ferguson’s first-team squad.

Gibson, 23, has had to remain patient as he seeks a regular place in United’s star-studded midfield, with Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni having suggested, on more than one occasion, that he might benefit from a move to a club where he would play every week.

England international Brown, 31, has suffered a succession of injury problems that have hampered his progress in recent years.