With the recent departure of Lee Congerton as Sporting Director, Sam Allardyce has been busy taking the lead role in preparing Sunderland's January transfer dealings. After recent rumours linking the club with a move for Lamine Kone and James Collins, Allardyce is also said to be interested in Bayern Munich's versatile defender Jan Kirchhoff.
According to respected German publication kicker.de, a delegation from Sunderland have been at Bayern's training ground over the last week to discuss a possible move for the 25-year-old, in which Bayern's Sporting Director Mattias Sammer and their Technical Director Michael Reschke admitted that they would probably allow the player to leave.
Kirchhoff has struggled for playing time since joining the German champions from Mainz due to a combination of the strength of their squad and injuries. After a failed loan move to Schalke, he has recently dropped down to Bayern's reserve squad for playing time and ahead of a potential January transfer.
The 6'5" central defender, who is noted for his passing and heading abilities, can also play in a defensive midfield and would give Sunderland a much needed defensive boost. Particularly at centre back where there is little cover or competition for Sebastian Coates, Younes Kaboul and John O'Shea.
The defender's contract is up in the summer but the report claims that should Sunderland make a move for Kirchhoff in January, that Bayern's expected asking price - which wasn't mentioned - would not be a problem.