Sunderland are reportedly ready to swoop for Sporting winger Geny Catamo in January.
Catamo was repeatedly linked with a move to the Stadium of Light this summer, with Regis Le Bris said to be a keen admirer of the Mozambique international.
Despite a long-standing interest a deal ultimately failed to materialise prior to last month's deadline, with Sporting holding out for a club to meet his release clause, which is said to be in excess of £50million.
After emerging as a surprise package in their return to the Premier League last season the Black Cats have slumped in the early weeks of the new campaign.
Despite welcoming a number of new arrivals of the summer Sunderland have managed just four from a possible 21 points in the league, with Tottenham's win over Coventry on Monday seeing them slip to bottom of the table.
Competing in Europe for the first time in more than half a century has further highlighted the need for Le Bris to bolster his ranks and it appears that the club will launch a fresh approach for Catamo when the window reopens.
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Sunderland are confident that Catamo can make an impact in the North East, with the player keen on making a move to the Premier League.
Catamo has started the new Primeira Liga campaign brightly with five goal involvements from eight starts and his performances have caught the attention of a number of top European teams.
One of the clubs said to be keeping a keen eye on Catamo is none other than Sunderland's bitter rivals Newcastle.
Like the Black Cats, Matthias Jaissle's side are said to be in the market for reinforcements in the winter window and could look to make an approach for the 25-year-old.
Joining both Tyne Wear clubs in the race to secure his signature are several other top flight sides, with the likes of Everton, Leeds, Bournemouth and Brentford all said to have been tracking him in recent weeks.
