Sunderland may pass on the permanent signing of Santiago Vergini.

The Evening Chronicle says Vergini may not return to Wearside after all, with Argentinian side Newell's Old Boys prepared to take him off Sunderland's hands.

The central defender has spent the last season-and-a-half on loan with the Black Cats, and his move is due to become permanent this summer after he played enough games last term to trigger a clause in his loan deal.

But, while Vergini was highly-rated by ex-Sunderland boss Gus Poyet, new head coach Dick Advocaat appears to be less keen on the 26-year-old Argentina international and left him out of the starting XI for the final six games of the season.