Sunderland have made contact with Serie A runners-up Napoli over the potential transfer of Walter Gargano, according to Il Mattino (via
Forza Italian Football). The 29-year-old midfielder is wanted by the Black Cats to boost the central-midfield area, after the departure of Alfred N'diaye and with the future of Lee Cattermole uncertain. Di Canio's new summer recruit Cabral wore Cattermole's number 6 shirt in a pre-season friendly in Hong Kong leading to questions over his future. In an interview with
Sky Sports on the future of the former Wigan man, Paolo Di Canio said, "We will see. It depends." Sunderland's head coach has been searching for a top midfielder all summer and has already exhausted the options of
Tom Huddlestone,
Alfred Duncan and
Raul Meireles. Il Mattino reported that the North East club's officials have spoke with the Partenopei over a possible move for Uruguayan international Gargano, and it also appears that the Italian side are eager to offload the player. Gargano spent last season on loan at Inter Milan where he struggled to make an impact, as the former Champions League winners finished 9th. The midfielder wishes to be part of the Uruguayan side at the 2014 World Cup so it could be in the player's interest to move and play first team football.