Jack Baldwin has emerged as a target for Bristol Rovers, with the Gas reportedly preparing to offer him a deal when his contract with Sunderland expires.
Centre-back Baldwin will be out of contract at the end of the month after the Black Cats opted to release him after two years on Wearside.
And Sunderland's League One rivals Rovers are ready to snap up the 26-year-old, according to BristolLive.
Baldwin had started his professional career at Hartlepool, before joining Peterborough United in January 2014.
Baldwin joined Sunderland from Posh two years ago, and he was a regular in his first season as the club reached the play-offs and the EFL Trophy final.
But the arrivals of Jordan Willis and Joel Lynch last summer saw him pushed down the pecking order, and after barely figuring at the start of the season he was allowed to join League Two Salford City for the remainder of the campaign.
Rovers manager Ben Garner is in the process of overhauling his squad and, along with Baldwin, he is said to be ready to bring in another free agent centre-back in the shape of Max Ehmer, who will leave Gillingham this summer.
Garner is also looking to sign holding midfielder Josh Grant when his contract with Chelsea expires at the end of the month.
