Sam Allardyce and Kevin Nolan could reportedly be reunited for a third time.
The pair have previously worked together at Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United.
Now, having recently been appointed the new manager of Sunderland, Allardyce has made the 33-year-old midfielder one of his major transfer targets, according to The Telegraph.
Nolan could move to the Stadium of Light immediately due to the fact that he was released from his contract at Upton Park before the summer transfer window deadline passed.
However, the report adds that Sunderland supporters may not be universally behind the deal, given Nolan's previous connection with rivals Newcastle United.
During his time on Tyneside, the former England Under-21 international scored a hat-trick against the Black Cats during a 5-1 victory in 2010.
