SUNDERLAND are close to agreeing a loan deal for Bordeaux full-back Diego Contento that would enable Patrick van Aanholt to complete his proposed £12m move to Crystal Palace.

The terms of van Aanholt’s proposed £12m move to Crystal Palace are all but agreed, but David Moyes does not want to formally sanction the Dutchman’s departure until he is sure he is able to recruit a full-back of his own.

The Black Cats have made unsuccessful approaches for Swansea’s Neil Taylor and Everton’s Bryan Oviedo, but have now turned to Contento in an attempt to plug the gap on the left-hand side of their defence.

While Sunderland are unable to complete another domestic loan with Adnan Januzaj and Jason Denayer already on their books, they can make a loan signing from overseas and have made Bordeaux an offer that would see them recruit Contento for the remainder of the campaign.

Contento, a 26-year-old product of Bayern Munich’s academy, won three league and cup doubles during his time at the Allianz Arena.

He joined Bordeaux in 2014, signing a four-year deal, and has made 13 Ligue 1 appearances this season, with his most recent outing coming in a 4-0 defeat at Montpellier in the middle of last month.

Contento played for Germany at Under-20 level, but is also eligible to play for Italy, having been born to Italian parents.

Sunderland officials are hoping to speak to Contento and his representatives later today, and are hoping to push through a deal within the next 48 hours.

Moyes, who has been linked with Everton duo Phil Jagielka and Arouna Kone, is also considering a move for QPR defender Nedum Onuoha, who spent a season on loan at the Stadium of Light under Steve Bruce six years ago.

Onuoha, who can play at centre-half or right-back, has a clause in his contract enabling him to leave QPR this month. Celtic have also inquired about the 30-year-old, with Sunderland’s interest currently remaining at the formative stage.

Meanwhile, Emanuele Giaccherini’s representatives have expressed their regret about the midfielder’s summer move from Sunderland to Napoli, and hinted he could change clubs again before the end of the month.