Sunderland are eyeing free agent Robbie Keane.
The Daily Star says money is tight at the Stadium of Light and David Moyes has virtually no cash to bring in players.
So the cash-strapped strugglers are eyeing freebees Keane and Joleon Lescott - ages 36 and 34 respectively - as transfer targets.
Keane left LA Galaxy at the end of the MLS season and is expected to open talks with Sunderland next week.
Although competition for his signing is fierce with a host of Championship clubs also interested.