Manchester United winger Amad Diallo could be heading for a loan move away this winter.
The attacker is hoping that he can impress manager Erik ten Hag and get first team game time.
However, The Mirror states that Sunderland are offering him a temporary escape route.
Amad, who spent the season at the Stadium of Light club last term, may become available late in January.
Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman confirmed: "The situation is clear.
We have a positive relationship with the boy, his people and Manchester United.
Can he improve us? Yes. Have we enquired? Yes. Have we kept in contact with him? Yes. My head would be on a stake if not!
"Even if he became available we might not get him. I regard him as a tier one player. He is a tier one player. We would be lucky if we got him on loan again. The level he can play at. He loved his time here. He loved the players and staff."