John Guidetti's name has once again been thrown into the ring of names linked to a move to Sunderland, and the odds are it's more than likely Roberto De Fanti's impending appointment as Director of Football at the club is the key link.
Whilst no quotes are attributed to any party in this latest rumour, not even a 'source close to the situation' or anything like that unfortunately, only the fact that De Fanti is -- for the time being -- Guidetti's agent and advisor.
Sunderland were linked with the Swedish striker under Martin O'Neill although no move materialised on the basis of an injury which kept him out of the game for several months in what turned out to be a bit of a write-off of a season for him in 2012/13.
Guidetti is unlikely to get much of a look in at Manchester City, just like every other season he has been there, as under the impending appointment of Manuel Pellegrini the club look to continue to splash cash rather than give some more youngsters a try at a higher level.
Guidetti has proven to be a good goal scorer when he can get on the pitch though, scoring on 20 occasions during a loan spell with Feyenoord in 2011/12. This however was his last significant action in a first team.
The link with De Fanti is either one of two things. Not much to really write about today and it's a very easy link to make, or there's actually something in it because of De Fanti. I'm inclined at this stage to believe the former, but it's not totally beyond reason.
He's at an age where he needs to be playing, and would certainly bolster our thread-bare attacking options and would surely jump at the chance of regular first team, Premier League football.
On the other hand he doesn't seem to fit our criteria much in that despite his lack of a breakthrough at Manchester City, the Citizens are reported to be looking at a fee closer to £5m, which would surely put us off slightly for a player who has played so little at a high level.
Something that might appease all parties however is a loan move for Guidetti, who is under contract through to 2015 with City, although if this was to happen it's unlikely it would be so early in the transfer window. This one could be quite a saga.