Sunderland are reportedly preparing a January move for Bayern Munich's out-of-favour defender Jan Kirchhoff.
The 25-year-old signed a pre-contract agreement with Bayern in January 2013, but spent the 2014-15 campaign on loan at Schalke 04 after struggling to break into the first-team picture with the German champions.
The tall centre-back will be out of contract at the end of the current season, but according to Kicker, Sunderland are hoping to get the deal done in January in order to avoid a scramble for his services next June.
The same report also claims that Sunderland recently sent scouts to watch the defender in action at Bayern's training ground.
Kirchhoff, who is currently playing for Bayern's second team, gained 18 caps for Germany's Under-21 outfit between 2010 and 2013.
