Reports: PDC Looks To... PDC To Solve Fullback Problem

As reported on Wednesday on these very pages, Sunderland are indeed turning their attention to Paolo De Ceglie as the near-decade search for a left back continues.

Several Italian outlets are now reporting that with De Ceglie's agent Carlo Pallavicino in the UK that a move could be close, although Stoke City have also been credited with an interest in the defender.

It's known that Sunderland's top target for the position this summer was Switzerland's Loris Benito, although a bid in the region of 4.5m Euros wasn't enough and a move to Serie A newcomers Sassulo appears to be the 21-year old's favoured option.

Liverpool have moved to sign Valencia defender Aly Cissokho today too, leaving Sunderland short on options for the position, although it's worth noting that we've had our own suspicions confirmed in that the club made nothing more than an enquiry for his services and were never the front runners we were portrayed by some outlets.

Back to De Ceglie though, the left-back has been rarely used by Juventus boss Antonio Conte during back-to-back title wins, and appears to prefer Kwado Asamoah in the position and is rumored to be looking at Napoli's Juan Zuniga, leaving De Ceglie surplus to requirements.

Sunderland may have some problems however. Juventus need to retain players to hit a quota of Italians in the squad whilst also De Ceglie is a known Juventino and will find it difficult to leave.

A hefty pay rise though and first team football could see the useful and attacking full back land on Wearside though.