Sunderland are stepping up their bid for Tigre fullback Lucas Orban.

The Evening Chronicle says Orban's family are believed to favour a move to River, but others in the player's camp believe a move to Sunderland - and the prospect of playing in the Premier League - would improve his chances of pressing his case for a place in the Argentina side for next summer's World Cup in Brazil.

With Benjamin Mendy having committed to Marseille yesterday, Sunderland now see fellow left-back Orban as a priority target.