Ananova:

Sunderland are closing in on a deal to take Chelsea defender Emerson Thome to the Stadium of Light.

The 28-year-old Brazilian was locked in talks after Peter Reid agreed a fee, believed to be in the region of £3million, with the London club.

Thome seems certain to quit Stamford Bridge after Frank Leboeuf was called back into the fold for the 1-1 draw at Aston Villa on Sunday following his reported attack on manager Gianluca Vialli.

A Sunderland spokesman said: "We can confirm that we have agreed a fee with Chelsea and we are now in discussions with the player.

"There is no signing as yet, but we are hopeful of completing a deal as soon as possible."

Reid has moved swiftly to strengthen his defence after losing summer signing Stanislav Varga for at least six weeks with a knee injury, but his swoop for Thome came somewhat out of the blue just 24 hours after claims that he was to renew his interest in Villa's unsettled Ugo Ehiogu with an £8million bid.

However, with Ehiogu re-affirming his intention to see out his contract at Villa Park despite being handed a peripheral role by manager John Gregory so far this season, the Sunderland boss has switched his attentions to a Brazilian once dubbed "the Wall".

A spokesman for Thome confirmed his interest in a move to the north-east, saying: "The deal has been sorted out. Emerson is happy to move there and he's looking forward to playing for Peter Reid.

"Emerson is more than happy to move to Sunderland because it is an exciting club with a big future.

"I'm sure he will quickly prove he's an invaluable part of the team."

Thome arrived in England from Portuguese side Benfica in March 1998 on a free transfer as Sheffield Wednesday clinched his signature, but he switched his allegiance to Chelsea in December last year with Vialli facing the prospect of doing without Leboeuf, Marcel Desailly and Jes Hogh at various times.

Reid has been in the market for a central defender all summer, and having failed to get either Ehiogu or Rangers' Lorenzo Amoruso, paid out a bargain £650,000 for Varga.

	Related stories: FA make trio wait 13:21 Tuesday 17th October 2000 Hutchison banned for Chelsea visit 14:13 Friday 13th October 2000 More related stories

	Check for more on: Chelsea Sunderland Soccer

Reckon you know what the scores will be? Where the big sporting shocks will come? Have a flutter at Blue Square where first-time Ananova users get a free £10 bet!