Sunderland boss Roy Keane is reportedly lining up a swoop for former Celtic team-mate Bobo Balde.
Sunderland are (+175) with Bodog.com to win their opening Premiership game against Spurs.
Keane is looking to strengthen his Mackems squad before the start of the new season, and sees Balde as an ideal candidate to shore-up his backline.
The Sunday Mail reports that Keane is all set to make a move for the Guinean defender, after he impressed when the two played together at Celtic Park in the 2005/6 season.
Celtic will reportedly be willing to sell Balde, given that they are pretty well stocked at centre-half, with Stephen Pressley, Stephen McManus, Gary Caldwell, Darren O'Dea and the returning John Kennedy all competing for two places.
Balde is understood to be keen on staying at Celtic Park, where he still has two years remaining on his contract.
Both Newcastle and Blackburn made enquiries about Balde last summer, but were told the big centre-half did not want to move away from Glasgow.
However, the possible lack of first-team opportunities at Celtic, combined with the lure of playing for Keane, could persuade Balde to make the move south.
Iraq skipper Younis Mahmoud turned down the chance to join Premier League Sunderland in May.
The striker, currently on duty with Iraq at the AFC Asian Cup, plays for Al Gharafa in the Qatari league but his fine form for both club and country has attracted interest from a number of top European sides.
Younis is the second Iraq international to have caught the eye of Sunderland after midfielder Nashat Akram earlier admitted his agent is in discussions with the Black Cats.
