The agent of Lazio defender Modibo Diakite has played down talk of an agreement with Sunderland.

Diakite is off contract in June.

"It was almost all done with Napoli. Unfortunately, we have different time-sensitive requirements and have therefore decided to take different paths," agent Ulisse Savini told lalaziosiamonoi.

"English football is intriguing and Di Canio has brought great enthusiasm, but for now I haven't spoken to anyone from Sunderland. If they were to call, we'd be honoured to talk to them."