MARTIN O'Neill is set to make Carlos Cuellar his first Sunderland signing after reopening negotiations with the Spanish defender.

O'Neill targeted Cuellar as a desirable free agent at the start of the summer, and discussed a possible move with the 30-year-old, who left Aston Villa at the end of the previous campaign.

However, Cuellar also held talks with a number of other clubs and appeared to be on the verge of a move to Greek side Olympiacos.

That now looks unlikely, and O'Neill has paved the way for a renewed approach that should result in the defender signing at the Stadium of Light.

The Black Cats boss is hoping to make up to half-a-dozen changes this summer, and Cuellar's arrival on a free transfer will represent a decent start to his summer business.

The centre-half played under O'Neill at Villa, where he made 123 senior appearances after moving from Rangers in 2008.

As well as strengthening his defence, O'Neill is also determined to sign at least one striker before the transfer window closes, but his chances of landing Wolves striker Steven Fletcher have been dented by the Molineux club's valuation of the Scotsman.

Wolves are understood to be demanding £15m for Fletcher, who scored 12 goals as his current employers were relegated from the Premier League last season.

O'Neill is a long-standing admirer of the 25-year-old, but will not be willing to pay anything like that price in order to acquire him.