Sunderland boss Paolo di Canio is pushing to land Juventus fullback Paolo de Ceglie.
The Daily Star Sunday says De Ceglie, 26, could form a left-flank link with ex-Juve team-mate Emanuele Giaccherini, who joined Sunderland last month in a £6.8million deal.
Stoke were interested in £2m-rated De Ceglie during the summer.
Juventus are willing to sell and the player is reported to be happy to move to England.
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