JONATHAN DE GUZMAN’S agent claims the midfielder is still considering his options, and would be willing to join Sunderland if the club could guarantee him regular football.

The Black Cats have agreed a €1.5m loan deal with Napoli that would see de Guzman move to Wearside for the next 12 months, with a view to a €4.5m permanent deal next summer.

However, Sunderland also face fierce competition from Premier League rivals Bournemouth and Ligue 1 side Marseille, both of whom have been speaking to the 27-year-old and his representatives in recent weeks.

Marseille had been thought to be leading the chase, but De Guzman’s agent, Fabio Parisi, has revealed in an interview with the Italian media that discussions with the French club had begun while former boss Marcelo Beilsa was still in place at the Stade Veldrome. As a result, the situation has now changed.

De Guzman is keen to leave his final decision as long as possible, raising the possibility of a frantic series of negotiations on next Tuesday’s transfer deadline day.

Parisi has, however, indicated that the likelihood of regular first-team football will be a key factor in his client’s next move.

“We are currently working with Napoli to try to find a solution that suits everybody,” he said. “The club (Napoli) must be protected, but we also have to think about the career of the player.

“He will have to make assessments a year away from the Europeans (Euro 2016), looking for a team that allows him to play continuously.

“Would that be Sunderland or Olympic Marseille? The problem with OM is that talks were in the pipeline before Bielsa resigned.

“De Guzman wants to wait a moment. If Sunderland are willing to take him on loan without anything else, we would probably take that into account. Bournemouth? Other English clubs have also moved, but always to borrow.”