Sunderland have enquired about Bournemouth winger Max Gradel.
The Ivory Coast international forward has been pushed down the pecking order at the south coast club following the arrival of veteran striker Jermain Defoe.
And the Black Cats have moved for Gradel. The move could accelerate in the next 24 hours.
A deal for Gradel would see the former St Etienne player reunited with recently appointed Sunderland manager Simon Grayson.
Grayson was in charge of Gradel at Leeds United, bringing him in on loan from Leicester as the Whites built a squad that eventually won promotion from League One during the 2009-10 season.