According to both the Daily Mail and the Mirror, Sunderland are interested in bringing Micah Richards to the Stadium of Light on a season-long loan deal.
The 26-year-old, who has spent 11 years at Manchester City, was locked in talks with the Black Cats on Saturday night over a temporary move to Wearside. Gus Poyet has already brought in Jack Rodwell from the Premier League champions this summer, and is keen to strengthen his defence with the experience of Richards.
Manchester City placed an £8m price tag on the defender's head after he refused to sign a new contract that would have seen him take a significant drop on his £65,000-a-week wages, but potential suitors Liverpool, West Ham United and Newcastle United were unwilling to pay the fee.
The Premier League champions are hoping to include a clause in the deal that would see Sunderland pay around £4m to make the move permanent next summer.
Fiorentina are also believed to be interested in the Englishman, but he would prefer to stay in the Premier League.