Sunderland are reportedly interested in signing Hamburg defender Michael Mancienne.
The 26-year-old has been playing in Germany for the past three seasons, but he is said to be keen on a return to the Premier League.
According to The Mirror, Sunderland are in pole position to complete a £1m transfer for Mancienne, despite interest from Stoke City, Swansea City and Queens Park Rangers.
Mancienne helped Hamburg to finish 16th in the Bundesliga last season.