Sunderland have agreed a deal with Lazio for the central defender Modibo Diakité. The club are yet to confirm the move for the France-born 26-year-old but the news is further evidence of the manager Paolo Di Canio's determination to rebuild the squad he inherited from Martin O'Neill as quickly as possible.

Sunderland are also understood to have completed much of the groundwork to sign the Basel midfielder Cabral and the Marítimo defender Valentin Roberge.

Defence will be a particular focus for Di Canio this summer with Titus Bramble and Matt Kilgallon due to leave when their contracts expire at the end of next month, the loan signing Danny Rose having returned to Tottenham and Phil Bardsley's future uncertain after his infamous casino incident.

Di Canio is also closing in on a move to appoint Internazionale's Valentino Angeloni as his head of scouting.