Sunderland have been linked with a move for Wigan Athletic defender Cedric Kipre.
According to a report in the Sunday People, Sunderland will launch a move for the 22-year-old centre-half should they win promotion to the Championship.
The Black Cats have ended the season in disappointing fashion with a run of one win in seven games condemning them to the play-offs as they come up short in their bid to win automatic promotion from League One.
Nonetheless, the report claims they are already making some preparations for life in the Championship by monitoring Kipre’s situation.
Sunderland’s defence has come under fire in recent weeks and Kipre has proven to be an able performer at Championship level.
Having joined the Latics from Motherwell in the summer, Kipre has made 41 appearances in all competitions and has helped Paul Cook’s side preserve their Championship status following promotion from League One last term.
It is believed Wigan would be reluctant to allow him to leave in the summer, with his contract at the DW Stadium running until 2021, but Sunderland did manage to prise Will Grigg away from them during the January transfer window.
Sunderland's play-off bid begins on Saturday, May 11, with the action getting underway at 7:30pm from the Stadium of Light.
Stewart Donald issues a rallying call to Sunderland fans ahead of the play-offs
