Nantes centre-half Papy Djilobodji is a target for Sunderland.
The Sunday Mirror says the Senegal international has just one year left on his contract at the French club and is looking to move to England.
Nantes will be asking for around £5million for Djilobodji who also interests West Bromwich Albion.
The 26-year-old was outstanding for Nantes last season and they are anxious to tie him to a contract extension.
But Djilobodji has his heart set on a move to the Premier League – and that has alerted the Black Cats.