:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/3526137/120125548.jpg)
Reports have emerged today linking Sunderland with a move for relegated Blackburn Rovers midfielder Steven N'Zonzi, who looks set to leave the club this summer.
These reports suggest that there was a breakdown in talks over a new contract, and with N'Zonzi being left out of the clubs squad which travels to Austria for some preseason training ahead of their season to the Championship, which would, if the dots are connected correctly, mean there's little coming back for a further round of talks.
The 23-year old has proven to be one of Rovers' better players during what was a torrid season for them under Steve Kean, and N'Zonzi won plaudits for his combative style and comfort in possession - all in all leading to him being linked with Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.
Related: SAFC Central Midfielder Stats I Follow Roker Report On Twitter
Those links seem to have cooled, and ourselves along with Newcastle and Aston Villa have 'entered the race' to sign him at a rumored fee of around £5m.
While I think N'Zonzi is a very capable player, I'm not sure I'd want to see us spending that sort of fee on him. The holding midfielder position is one where we're actually fairly well off with Lee Cattermole and Jack Colback almost certain of their places in the team, and can ably be backed up by David Vaughan and David Meyler.
The only thing he really offers over what we have at the moment seems to be height, and if we were after that, David Meyler is not exactly a midget - although it's rumored that he himself could be out of the club too joining the Steve Bruce revolution at Hull City.
Certainly at £5m, you'd have to think that could be better used in bringing in a forward player, or even paying the wages of such a player rather than splashing out on adding to an already congested midfield, devoid of creation away from Stephane Sessegnon and to a lesser degree, James McClean.
So when it comes to Steven N'Zonzi, where do you stand? In all likelihood it's just paper talk, but I think it's fairly clear I myself am not too keen on such a signing. However, we'd be interested to hear your thoughts. Why not comment and vote in the poll below to do just that!