Boca Juniors make fresh move for Sunderland defender - reports

Vergini is due back at the Academy of Light this weekend for pre-season training after his permanent switch to loan employers Getafe fell through when they were relegated from Spain's La Liga.

Boca had approached Sunderland over signing Vergini on a free transfer, but the Black Cats have wanted a fee for the 27-year-old - thought to be £1.5million.

However, there have been widespread reports in Argentina that Boca are now closing in on a permanent deal for Vergini and he is due back in his homeland later this week to finalise the move.

If Sunderland can recoup a fee for Vergini, it will represent the first success in Sam Allardyce's attempts to offload the dead-wood at the Stadium of Light this summer.

Allardyce has more than half-a-dozen players who are surplus to requirements, with their collective salaries adding up to well over £100,000 a week.