Sunderland boss Steve Bruce is chasing Aston Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker.
The Daily Mail says the 25-year-old is expected to leave Villa Park this summer after an uninspired two seasons with the Midlands club and has also been the subject of interest from Middlesbrough.
Although Reo-Coker remains unconvinced about a move to the north-east, he seems determined to leave Villa in a bid to recapture the form that saw him named as a stand-by player for Sven Goran Eriksson's 2006 World Cup squad.
Martin O'Neill has made it clear he will not stand in the way of the former West Ham's skipper, should he opt to leave. However, he is keen to get a deal thrashed out quickly so that he may use the funds on replacements.
Reo-Coker, though, remains to be convinced the deal would reignite his career and is said to be holding out for a move back down south.