SUNDERLAND are the latest English Premier League club to keep close tabs on Celtic star Nir Bitton this season.

The Wearside outfit, who currently sit in the relegation zone second bottom of the league, have had the Israeli midfielder watched in European and domestic games several times over recent weeks.

Sunderland are, of course, far from alone in terms of would-be suitors for the 24-year-old who recently signed a contract extension with Celtic until 2020.

Sam Allardyce's club, despite many seasons of poor results and their current precarious predicament, are actually one of English football's biggest payers and would be able to offer Bitton, or anyone else at Celtic for that matter, a significant increase in wages.

And they are certain to be the one Premier League side forced to spend big money in the January transfer window in an attempt top save themselves from relegation and ensure they remain in the top tier when the new £4billion television deal begins next season.

Despite signing Bitton new deal, it would come as little surprise to any Celtic supporter if a club did make a move for a player who has excelled for their team this season.

However, Bitton to his credit has never hinted at any desire of moving from Parkhead, unlike some of his now former team-mates.

And, indeed, after signing his new deal, he made it clear that moving to a struggling club south of the border, even one with deep pockets, was not for him.

Bitton said: "Sometimes it’s better to play in the Champions League or Europa League instead of, I don’t know, the bottom of the English Premier League or something.

“You need to think about everything. Sometimes players choose to go after the money. But the money is not the most important thing in life.

"For a player, sometimes to win trophies and play for championships and a Champions League team is better than money.

"At the end of the day you finish your career and look at your past and think, okay, I have done that and that.

"To win trophies with Celtic and play in the Champions League with Celtic as a club for me, right now, is the most important thing."

Allardyce has pledged not to panic buy in January, but it is understood he is looking to sign four players before the window shuts.