:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/26809061/article-2536548-1a86b01e00000578-496_1024x615_large.0.jpg)
Sunderland's pursuit of Santiago Vergini appears to be drawing to a close, with reports out of Argentina suggesting the player has reached an agreement with Estudiantes and will travel to England tomorrow to sign for Gus Poyet's side.
According to TyC Sports, Vergini will sign an initial loan deal until the end of the season, with Sunderland having the option of making the transfer permanent. If the transfer is made permanent, the 25-year-old will sign a four year contract.
The financial details of the transfer have also emerged, Sunderland will pay an initial $700,000 ($100,000 of which goes to Vergini to cover the debt Estudiantes owe him), with another $350,000 in June if they decide to make the transfer permanent and a final $150,000 if the player returns to Argentina before June 2015.
Poyet has already spoken of the player, who he has been tracking since his time as Brighton manager;
I watched him for about six months when he was with Newell's Old Boys and the way he plays, understands football and his physical size made me think of him as a potential signing.
He has played one game for the national team and he has also been in the squad a few times.
Then of course, everything happened in the summer, Brighton did not go up and I left the club.
However, he is still a player who interests me and now we have the possibility of signing him here at Sunderland.
He also spoke of what qualities we can expect from Vergini;
He is a central defender who has been playing at the top level for a few years and he has had a chance to play with the Argentina national team.
He's big, so he's good for England, he reads the game well and he is a good defender.
Let's hope he can adapt quickly if we get him.
Should Vergini complete his move, he will become Sunderland's second signing of the January transfer window after Marcos Alonso signed on loan from Fiorentina.
Stay tuned to Roker Report throughout January as we keep you up to date with his and all other transfer news and rumours. Also, feel free to keep in touch with our dedicated Transfer Centre, which you can do by CLICKING HERE.
