Lucas Neill is reported to have held talks with Sunderland over a move to Wearside.
Neill is a free agent after his contract at West Ham expired at the end of last season although Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola is keen for the Australia international to sign a new deal.
Neill rejected reduced terms to re-sign at Upton Park and the 31-year-old defender has been linked with Blackburn, Manchester City and Galatasaray.
And Neill is understood to have been at Sunderland's hotel in Peterborough ahead of Tuesday's pre-season friendly with the freshly-promoted Championship outfit.
'We've had a little conversation to see where Lucas is at,' revealed Sunderland boss Steve Bruce.
'He's another player who is experienced, he's played in the Premier League and he's on a free transfer, so that's the attraction. We'll see where he is, where his mind is at and go from there.'
Source: Daily_Mail