The agent of Olympique Marseille midfielder Modeste M'Bami has revealed the interest of Sunderland.

Jean-Christophe Thouvenel told setanta.com: "I can confirm to you that Sunderland are highly interested in signing Modeste. There is another Premier League club that is interested as well, Portsmouth.

"There have been whispers about Blackburn, but now that they have changed managers, it's over.

"Modeste is good mate with Djibril Cisse so that could accelerate his integration within the team. But you know he doesn't need anyone to settle in.

"And Cisse is only there on a loan basis and could move clubs next summer.

"Djibril may have realised his team needs a holding midfielder capable of playing in front of the defence to make it more solid."