FC Basel midfielder Valentin Stocker could be set to turn down a move to Sunderland in favour of Hoffenheim.
The 23-year-old, who scored the winner when the Swiss champions beat Bayern Munich in the Champions League this season, is understood to want a move to a bigger club this summer.
According to talkSPORT, Hoffenheim are about to beat the Black Cats to his signature in a deal worth £3.5m.
The Switzerland international has been at FC Basel since 2007.