Sunderland boss Paolo di Canio is upset being beaten by Hull City for Tottenham midfielder Tom Huddlestone.
The Mirror says Spurs midfielder Huddlestone was Di Canio's top target and he pressed new football director Roberto De Fanti to get a deal done, but the player chose newly-promoted Tigers to leave a large gap to plug at the Stadium of Light.
Di Canio is after a powerful midfielder, preferably an English one, plus a left-back, and Valencia's Cissokho is available for the latter spot.
While Sunderland have not finished his extensive summer rebuilding programme, midfielders Lee Cattermole and David Vaughan are expected to depart before any more new recruits can be afforded.
