Get the latest SAFC transfer news straight to your inbox by signing up to our FREE newsletter Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Sunderland goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon is understood to be attracting interest clubs in both France and Spain.

The Romania international could potentially leave the Black Cats this month after recently losing his place in the starting line-up to Vito Mannone.

And ChronicleLive understands that Spanish La Liga side RCD Espanyol are one club who are seriously considering a bid for the Sunderland and Romania shot-stopper.

We understand that Sunderland are aware of a number of clubs from the continent who are interested in the 6’8” 28-year-old - Espanyol’s interest is thought to be among the strongest.

Their new head coach Constantin Galca is, like Pantilimon, a former Romanian international - though they never played together.

He is said to be a huge fan of Pantilimon, however, and is in the market for a new goalkeeper with the Catalan side’s current number 1 Francesco Bardi only on loan from Inter Milan until the end of the season.

Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce admitted earlier in the month that after the signing of Dame N’Doye – their second of the January window after Jan Kirchhoff – that the club would likely have to sell players if they were to invest further.

Premier League financial fair play rules only allow a side to increase their yearly players wage budget by £4million a season unless it is subsidised by player sales. It is estimated that the Wearsiders’ bill went up by over £3million in the summer leaving Big Sam little to play with as he looks to strengthen his squad.

Selling players could provide a solution for Allardyce to push through further deals with reports suggesting the deal to bring Lamine Kone to the Stadium of Light is still on despite looking like it had broke down. They’re also rumoured to be trying to push through a deal for Swansea forward Andre Ayew.

And while there is interest in striker Danny Graham from a number of Championship clubs, there is also interest in Pantilimon – which could offer another chance to free up funds.

The Romanian has been left out of the matchday squad for the last three fixtures. Allardyce has three goalkeepers on his books now and Pantilimon has been left out recently after the emergence of Jordan Pickford, and Vito Mannone seizing his opportunity.

When asked prior to Saturday’s defeat to Tottenham about the goalkeeper situation, Allardyce was coy on whether he’d be willing to let one go.

He said: “It depends how the situation develops as the month goes on. One [Mannone or Pantilimon] may find it more difficult than the other if they are not playing and may say that they want a move.

“Vito said that; that he needed to play first-team football.

“But now Vito has got a chance, it could be Costel [who leaves].

“Who knows what will happen? All three are here now and you need three goalkeepers anyway.”