Sunderland boss Roy Keane is eyeing Rangers defender Carlos Cuellar.

The Northern Echo says the Sunderland boss personally checked out Cuellar towards the end of last season and is now preparing to make a move for the £8m-rated centre-back.

But Keane faces competition for the former Osasuna man, with Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan known to regard the 26-year-old highly.

Cuellar has been in discussions with Rangers over signing a new contract and those close to him have insisted that he is willing to commit his long-term future to Ibrox.

But there remains a feeling in Glasgow that if the club's valuation is met during the course of the summer the Gers would seriously consider selling.