Sunderland edging closer to £500,000 deal for Bundesliga centre-half

Sunderland are reportedly close to finalising the £500,000 signing of German defender Jan Kirchhoff.

The Premier League club, who currently sit four points adrift of safety despite their 3-1 victory over Aston Villa at the weekend, are looking to add some defensive reinforcements to their squad during the January transfer window in a bid to boost their survival hopes this term.

The 25-year-old, who is a former Germany Under-21 international, has made just two first-team appearances for defending Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich so far this season.

Kirchhoff, who is predominantly a centre-half but who can also operate as a holding midfielder, is thought to already be in England to undergo his medical ahead of a £500,000 initial move, plus bonuses rising to £1m.

He signed for Munich on a free transfer from Mainz back in 2013, but he has made only seven appearances for them in the German top division since, even spending the conclusion of last season on loan at Schalke.

Defender Jan Kirchhoff has failed to make a single league appearance for Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich this campaign.