Celtic's Colin Healy has been targeted by new manager David O'Leary who could pick the 23-year-old up on a free transfer.
Healy, who enjoyed a successful loan spell with Coventry two seasons ago, has failed to force his way into Martin O'Neill's plans at Parkhead and will walk away this summer having turned down a new contract.
Former Ireland boss Mick McCarthy is known to be keen to take the Corkman to Sunderland but the lure of Premiership football could be too much for Healy to ignore.
O'Leary, who took over from Graham Taylor at Villa Park last month, has yet to make a signing but has been in contact with Healy's representatives about the player's availability.