Sunderland are said to have agreed a fee with French side Lorient for centre back Lamine Kone.
Lorient’s Vice-Chairman has admitted to the French press that there is an agreed fee, so a deal is now down to Kone to agree personal terms and pass a medical on Wearside.
Sunderland have been let down several times this season by defensive errors, so any additional strengthening would be very welcome. With also Younes Kaboul looking to miss up to two months and John O'Shea has struggling all season with injury.