Sunderland have turned down the opportunity to take Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho on loan.
Manager David Moyes has been looking at options for his defence with Everton offering £18m for Lamine Kone, Younes Kaboul sold to Watford and John O'Shea injured.
Jurgen Klopp is open to sending Sakho out in a bid to gain regular play-time and regain his fitness.
The Frenchman's place has come under threat from new signings Ragnar Klavan and Joel Matip.