Sunderland want to sign Southampton forward Ben Brereton Diaz on loan, according to reports. The Chile international, who joined Saints from Villarreal on a four-year contract for £7million in the summer, has struggled for game time after his move to St Mary's and could leave this month.

Brereton Diaz started Southampton's first four matches of the campaign, including their controversial 1-0 defeat at Newcastle United on the opening day in August. The former Blackburn and Nottingham Forest man sparked anger among the Magpies faithful after appearing to get Fabian Schar sent off.

He became public enemy No.1 on Tyneside and was booed on every touch after the incident with Schar. Brereton Diaz went tumbling down following a clash of heads with the Newcastle centre-back, although Graeme Souness believes he was "cheating", while Alan Shearer branded it as "embarrassing".

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It's no doubt that if Brereton Diaz made the switch to the Black Cats, he would became less admired by those in Newcastle should that even be possible. According to Sky Sports, Sunderland, Sheffield United and Blackburn want to sign Brereton Diaz on loan, but Saints want an obligation to buy inserted into any deal that triggers in any event that either of the three clubs get promoted from the Championship.

Sky add that Sunderland are the only one of those who have so far indicated they are willing to agree to the obligation clause, though a move is yet to materialise.

After Brereton Diaz enjoyed a run in the Southampton team at the beginning of the season, he has since failed to start any of their last 16 Premier League matches. In that time, he has played just 133 minutes of top-flight action, with his most recent outing coming against Aston Villa back on December 7.

Despite Southampton's torrid first half of the campaign - picking up just six points from their opening 20 games - Brereton Diaz has still been an outcast and it does feel as though he is destined for a transfer this month. Sunderland, who lost 2-1 to Stoke City in the FA Cup on Saturday, could be his next destination.

Regis Le Bris' side are very much in contention to earn promotion back to the Premier League, sitting fourth in the Championship and just four points behind leaders Leeds United. They strengthened their squad with the loan signing of Enzo Le Fee on Friday and Brereton Diaz could follow him to the Stadium of Light.