Sunderland target Joel Obi is expected to stay with Inter Milan.

Obi has been linked with a move to Sunderland this month.

"The player is now coming back from a serious injury and I think Inter want to count much on him also considering their need of midfielders," the player's agent Renzo Contratto told Sky Sports.

"There was interest from some teams, including Sunderland, but I think the club and the coach Andrea Stramaccioni consider Joel an important player."