Sunderland are eyeing Aston Villa's Bosman prospect Ron Vlaar.

The Dutch defender is out of contract at Villa Park this summer and has yet to commit his future to the Midlands outfit, says the Evening Chronicle.

That has alerted a number of clubs, both in this country and in Europe, with Sunderland understood to be one of those monitoring Vlaar's position.

The Black Cats are looking to sign two central defenders, Liverpool's Sebastian Coates set to become one of those new faces.