Sunderland could home in Sam’s old stamping ground, with reports of 
interested in West Ham’s defender James Tomkins.
Tomkins is said to be getting feed-up with life at West Ham, due to lack of first team opportunities, and could leave this summer.
The defender, who came through the ranks at the London club, has been on their books for around 20 years, starting out at in the youth side as just a boy of 7 years old.
He spent a season out on loan, plying his trade at Derby County to gain some first team experiences but that was almost 7 years ago!
Tomkins favoured position is at centre back but can also comfortably play as a right back, first team football under Slaven Bilic have become few and far between.
Sunderland could offer Tomkins a career refresh, with Sam Allardyce knowing the player well from his time in the capital.