Sunderland have been linked with a move for Senegalese striker Ibrahima Balde from Spanish side Osasuna, Sky Sports understands.
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Balde has been playing in Spain since 2008 when he joined Atletico Madrid.
But he did not join Atletico from Africa, he came from Argentina - where he moved when he was 16.
In South America he was quickly spotted and spent time with Argentinos Juniors and Velez Sarsfield, before linking up with Atletico.
After making the breakthrough at the Vicente Calderon, he spent time on loan with Numancia before joining Osasuna last summer.
He played 22 times for the club, starting 13 games and he impressed with seven goals in La Liga.
The Senegal striker also came to the fore when he scored for his country in their crucial Olympic qualifier against Oman at Coventry City.
Martin O'Neill is understood to have competition from Aston Villa, Norwich and Reading in targeting a move for the 6ft 2in target man and he could be set for a summer switch to England.
"Ibrahima is a very impressive player and a number of clubs have expressed an interest," his British representative Chris Nathaniel told Sky Sports.
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Does Balde sound like the type of striker Sunderland need?
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