Sunderland-linked Subotic may have to leave Dortmund, says agent

Neven Subotic's request for more first-team football at Borussia Dortmund may go unanswered, meaning an end to his eight-year stay with the Bundesliga outfit.

The Serbian played just 11 matches last term before he was sidelined for 11 games with an arm injury, and his hopes of earning a regular starting role next season were quickly dashed when Marc Bartra was signed from Barcelona to fill the void left by Mats Hummels.

Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce has apparently been keeping tabs on the defender, and the words from Subotic's agent, Frieder Gramm, should only encourage interest from Wearside.

"Currently it does not look like he will get more game time in the upcoming season," Gramm told Kicker via the Newcastle Chronicle.

"But he absolutely wants to play, and does not want to earn his money on the bench. We are currently scouting the market."

Sunderland is expected to face competition from Hamburger SV for Subotic's signature.

One pursuit that may be nearing an unsuccessful conclusion for the Black Cats is for AS Roma striker Edin Dzeko. The former Manchester City man was apparently subject to an £11-million bid from Sunderland, but the Newcastle Chronicle's Steve Brown believes any such approach was turned down.