Sunderland are reportedly interested in signing Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma on loan this summer.
The 19-year-old completed a move to Stamford Bridge in January, but remained on loan with Saint-Etienne for the second half of last season.
At this stage of Zouma's career, it is understood that Blues boss Jose Mourinho is keen for the teenager to secure a regular run of games on loan rather than with the capital outfit.
According to The Guardian, Sunderland have expressed an interest in taking the Frenchman on loan for the 2014-15 campaign.
Zouma came through the youth ranks at Saint-Etienne.