Black Cats boss Mick McCarthy is keen to off-load the Brazilian as he continues in his attempts to reduce the massive wage bill at the Stadium of Light by selling the clubs top earners.
"We are trying our best to bring in new personnel. The most likely one to succeed is Emerson Thome," said the Bolton boss.
"We will try our best to complete it as quickly as we can.
"There are the usual financial problems but we haven't lost it yet. So we will keep pushing on and see what the outcome will be.