SUNDERLAND and Roma remain in talks over a January move for midfielder Enzo Le Fee.

The midfielder looks set to leave the Italian club having failed to establish himself since joining in the summer from Rennes in a move that was reportedly worth €23m.

The 24-year-old played under Regis Le Bris at Lorient, and Sunderland's head coach - who last week confirmed a midfielder is on his January wishlist - is keen on a reunion.

Sunderland and Roma officials have held talks, with the Black Cats preference being an initial loan with a view to potentially making a deal permanent in the summer. That would likely depend on whether or not Sunderland won promotion to the Premier League.

Real Betis have also been in discussions with Roma but reports in Italy yesterday suggested Sunderland are now leading the race to sign Le Fee. Despite those claims, it's understood nothing has been agreed between Sunderland and Roma at this stage.

Le Fee was an unused substitute as Roma beat Lazio in the Rome derby at the weekend. He's only made one appearance in the last two months and doesn't feature in the plans of boss Claudio Ranieri.

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Le Bris is in close communication with Kristjaan Speakman, Kyril Louis-Dreyfus and the recruitment team and has played a leading role in Sunderland's planning for the January transfer window. And the head coach is understood to have delivered a glowing report on Le Fee’s qualities and what he'd offer his side.

Le Bris has stressed the importance of Sunderland being "accurate" in the January transfer window and signing players who will "connect" with his current squad, on and off the pitch. He believes Le Fee would be a good fit in the dressing room, and wants to strengthen his midfield department before the window closes.

He said last week: "At the minute we only have two midfielders available at that level. We can develop other players like Milan [Aleksic] but he needs time to develop at that level. So we still have an eye on this part of the pitch."