Sunderland are set to miss out on off contract Aston Villa defender Carlos Cuellar.

The Journal says the Black Cats are understood to have made preliminary contact with Cuellar last month but stopped short of offering the free agent centre-back a deal to play on Wearside.

But agent Pedro Bravo revealed: "Sunderland have not made an offer for Carlos. They have not phoned me.

"We have clubs in Spain and in Turkey who have made an offer - now it is up to Carlos to chose a new club."