Sunderland considering move for Bayern Munich defender Jan Kirchhoff
Monday 4 January 2016 11:10, UK
Sunderland are considering a move for Bayern Munich defender Jan Kirchhoff, according to Sky sources.
The Black Cats are determined to sign a new central defender in the current winter transfer window and agreed a fee of £5m for Lorient's Lamine Kone last week.
Sky sources also understand Sunderland approached QPR over Steven Caulker, who is on loan at Southampton but has struggled to keep a first-team place.
Kone, 26, is understood to remain Sunderland's first choice but they could turn their attentions to Kirchhoff - a 25-year-old German who has struggled to nail down a first-team place at Bayern.
He signed for the Bundesliga champions from Mainz in 2013 but has made only seven appearances for them in the German top division and spent a period on loan at Schalke last term.
Kirchhoff is a former Germany U21 international who has also represented his country at U18 and U19 level, and began his career as a youth at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Sunderland are currently struggling in the bottom three of the Premier League but moved closer to safety with a 3-1 win over Aston Villa on Saturday.
