Paolo Negro is being linked with a move to Sunderland.

The Evening Chronicle says Paolo Di Canio could be reunited with his old Lazio team-mate Negro if Sunderland appoint a director of football in the summer.

If Sunderland do adopt a Continental management structure, former Lazio defender Negro is sure to figure in Di Canio's thinking.

Negro played alongside Di Canio at Lazio, but since retiring in 2007 has moved into management with Italian lower-league sides Cerveteri and now Zagarolo.