Sunderland have been credited with interest in midfielder Aaron Tshibola, from reports in the player's homeland.
FootRDC in Congo claim that Aston Villa want to offload the 24-year-old and the Black Cats are willing to take the player, providing Villa are willing to sell for no more than €3million.
Tshibola, at 6ft 3in, is a tall, strong and athletic midfielder who would certainly add quality in Jack Ross' midfield.
However, it's no secret that Ross has wanted to cut squad numbers this summer, both for logistical and financial reasons.
And with midfield in particular a congested area in the Sunderland squad, someone would surely have to depart to accommodate Tshibola's arrival, if the reports are to be believed.
George Honeyman left last week for Hull, but Ross pointed out how Marc McNulty and George Dobson had both been signed before that, while Tshibola is more of a defensive-minded midfielder.
He spent last season on loan at Kilmarnock making 27 appearances and netting one goal with no assists, with the Scottish Championship side seemingly opting against signing him permanently this summer.
And with an overload of defensive-minded players, if Sunderland were to add to their midfield in the remainder of the transfer window it would almost certainly be with someone more attack-minded, unless somebody left or was on the verge of doing so.
Ross' depth in midfield were highlighted on Saturday when Dylan McGeouch was preferred to new club captain Grant Leadbitter in the holding midfield role, and earning man of the match in the process.
Following the departure of Bryan Oviedo, Ross' priority remains on finding a new left-wing back to provide competition for academy product Denver Hume.
With just two days remaining in the Premier League and Championship transfer windows, there's every possibility Sunderland have been used by the player's agent to get his client's name out there and in the market.
