Sheffield Wednesday target Danny Batth looks set to join the Owls’ League One rivals, Sunderland, according to reports.
The 31-year-old defender has agreed to join Lee Johnson’s promotion chasers with Yorkshire outfit likely to miss out.
It is thought the deal hinges on Sunderland offering the former Wednesday loanee an 18-month deal at the Stadium of Light with his contract at Stoke set to expire this summer.
The former Wolves defender has spent almost his entire career playing in the Championship but, according to Football Insider, both Sheffield Wednesday and Sunderland have made him an offer with the latter likely to be his chosen destination.
Sunderland have been in the market for a centre-back to bolster their defence as they look to keep up their promotion bid in League One this season.
They sit second in the table as things stand having played more games than both Rotherham and Wigan, who are in third and fourth respectively.
Batth had been on loan at Hillsborough, making 54 league appearances for the Owls between 2010 and 2012, but the Black Cats have now won the race to land the experienced defender.
Sunderland are next in action on Saturday when they host Portsmouth having thrown away a lead to draw with 10-man Accrington at the weekend.