Jan Kirchhoff is finalising the details of his move to Sunderland, according to Kicker and Bild.
The Bayern Munich defender has been linked with a switch to the Stadium of Light for some time now, and it appears that it is finally close to completion, with reports in Germany saying that the deal has already been agreed in principle.
Kirchhoff, who can play both at the back and in midfield, is understood to be ready to sign a two and a half year deal, which will keep him on Wearside until the summer of 2018, whilst the two clubs have agreed a fee of €1 million ahead of the player's current contract expiring later this year.
Fresh start
The move will be a breath of fresh air for Kirchhoff, who has been out-of-favour at Bayern for a while.
Since joining the Bundesliga giants from 1. FSV Mainz 05 in 2013, he has made just seven senior appearances, with his time at the club plagued by injuries to say the least.
A loan to Schalke 04 also hit the same obstacles, meaning the only appearance he has made this season was one for Bayern's second team.
However, the Sunderland switch gives him chance to start over and he will hope luck is on his side regarding his fitness this time around - as will the Black Cats.
Defensive crisis
With defensive options wearing thin for Sam Allardyce and his team, the manager stressed the need to recruit early in the transfer window and this signing shows that he doesn't just talk the talk.
With Younes Kaboul out for at least another six weeks and both John O'Shea and Sebastian Coates picking up knocks recently, Allardyce has had to call upon veteran Wes Brown for the past couple of games, which has been far from ideal - even if the former Manchester United man hasn't done much wrong in his displays.
Nonetheless, the former Newcastle United boss has had success with a 3-5-2 set-up this season, one which he cannot use at the moment with Kaboul injured.
However, with Kirchhoff incoming - and Lamine Kone also believed to be on his way to Sunderland - injuries cannot stop him from returning to the formation now with players he believes are capable enough to operate in the back three.