Sunderland could resurrect their interest in Habib Beye after the defender revealed he could quit Aston Villa in the summer.
The Black Cats were linked with a move for the player during the January transfer window but a deal failed to materialise and he ended up staying at Villa Park.
However Beye has opened the door to a move to the Stadium of Light after revealing he wants to move on in search of first-team football at the end of the season.
"Things are not going too well for me at Villa," he said. "I have only played in ten games in all competitions. This is the first time in 12 years I've had a season like this and it is not easy for me to put up with. "
I am 32, I feel in good physical shape and I don't see myself sitting on the bench.
If I can't express myself as a footballer with Aston Villa, it will be elsewhere.
It is the manager's choice."