Sunderland are considering a bid for Livorno's Brazilian striker Paulinho, according to the player's agent.The 27-year-old forward – who bagged 22 goals in 45 matches in Italy's Serie B last season – has attracted a host of suitors, with Sampdoria currently leading the chase.
But Paolo Di Canio is reportedly keen on bringing the forward to the Stadium of Light, as he plans to continue his rebuilding of the Sunderland squad, which has already seen Valentin Roberge, Modibo Diakite, Cabral and El Hadji Ba sign free transfers.
Paulinho's agent Eugenio Ascari revealed that Livorno are expecting a bid from Sunderland for their player in the not too distant future.
"He has done very well this year, 20 goals in the regular season and three crucial goals in the play-offs, so it is normal to have attracted the attention of big clubs in Italy," Ascari told Tuttomercatoweb.
"Sampdoria's offer is the most concrete
"They have followed Paulinho for two or three months and we have already had some contact with them.
"But abroad, I think that Di Canio's Sunderland are planning to make an offer soon. And then every day I always read new teams are interested in the press."
