Sunderland manager Gus Poyet has indicated that he would like to sign Santiago Vergini on a permanent basis this summer.
The Argentine initially struggled after arriving at the club on loan from Estudiantes in January, but an impressive run of displays at the end of season as a right-back has earned praise from Poyet, who is keen to discuss the 25-year-old's future.
"Vergini pleases me a lot for different reasons," the Black Cats manager told reporters. "Firstly because I brought him here and I know him both as a player and as a person and know how important it was for him to succeed in England.
"He was playing out of position so it is even more impressive what he has done.
"It will be nice to sit down with him and have a good chat about the future."
Vergini joined Estudiantes from Newell's Old Boys last year.