Fierce rivals Sunderland and Newcastle United are both keen on young Swedish defender Filip Helander.
The 23-year-old currently plies his trade in Italy with Hellas Verona, but his future at the club is in doubt following their relegation from Serie A to Serie B.
Helander looks set to have options as both Sunderland and Newcastle are showing serious interest, according to Italian daily Gazzetta dello Sport.
The promising Swedish defender has popped up on both clubs' radars as a potential signing this summer.
Helander, a centre-back by trade, made 26 appearances across Serie A and the Coppa Italia for Hellas Verona last season, scoring two goals.
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He was snapped up by the Italian side just last summer from Swedish outfit Malmo, at which he won two Swedish Allsvenskan titles after progressing through the youth ranks.
Hellas Verona splashed out €1m to sign Helander from Malmo and he signed a contract running until the summer of 2019, putting the Italian club in a strong position to name their price for his services.
The defender, who has also been linked with Middlesbrough, has represented Sweden at Under-17, Under-19 and Under-21 level.
