Sunderland are set to land Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland in an £8 million deal.
The Sun says Ireland, 21, is contracted to City until the end of next season but there have been no talks about extending that.
Instead, Eastlands bigwigs want the midfielder out after a series of controversial incidents in the last year.
Black Cats boss Roy Keane has made no secret of his desire to land the Irishman.
Keane said: "Whatever problems he has, he is a very, very good player."