Sunderland explores an ambitious step to sign Bayer Leverkusen -midfielder Granit Xhaka.
The Black Cats are interested in signing the 32-year-old Bundesliga winner to spear their Premier League back.
Xhaka has left for three years to his Leverkusen deal, but can leave this window.
Sunderland is confronted with competition from Saudi Arabia for the signature of the ex-Arsenale midfielder.
Xhaka is enormously experienced with 137 caps for Switzerland and fits the profile for the young team of Regis Le Bris.