Sunderland are reportedly closing in on a deal to sign Tom Flanagan from Burton Albion.

Flanagan was made available for transfer by the Brewers following their relegation from the Championship last season.

The Sunderland Echo are reporting that the Black Cats, relegated alongside Albion, are close to signing the Northern Ireland international ahead of the 2018-19 campaign.

We understand that Sunderland previously expressed an interest in the versatile Burton defender following his addition to the transfer list last month, and that a move to the North-East could be imminent.

Flanagan - who has made 75 League appearances for the Brewers, including 27 in the second tier last season - has a year left on his contract at the Pirelli Stadium.

But with Albion looking to streamline their squad heading into League One, Nigel Clough decided to put him on the transfer list this summer.

Sunderland have already made three summer signings since the arrival of new manager Jack Ross, including ex-Albion goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin, who played with Flanagan at the Pirelli.

"He's got a year left, but we have to free something up somewhere," Clough said of Flanagan when the Brewers' retained list was confirmed in May.

"With John Brayford, if Damien McCrory stays (he has since signed a new one-year deal), and Ben Turner stepping in at left-back as he did, I don't think we can carry all three.

"He's made 57 Championship appearances in the last two years, and he did well.

"He had a new lease of life, almost, at full-back.

Tom Flanagan celebrates his opener in the win at Sheffield Wednesday

"The reasoning for bringing him back was he covers you all the way across the back four.

"That's still the case, but we have to make cuts somewhere and unfortunately, that's one of them.

"He hasn't done anything wrong greatly. It's just that, as I say, if Damien signs, it'll be Brayford and Damien who'll be our full-backs."