The 23-year-old was left behind for Rovers' pre-season tour of Austria, and it is almost certain that the Frenchman will depart the club.
The Black Cats will make an offer of around £5m, according to Sky Sports News, as they attempt to ready their squad for the new campaign.
N'Zonzi made 34 appearances for Rovers last season.
Restore Data
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS | |
| 1 | Leeds UnitedLeeds | 38 | 23 | 11 | 4 | 76 | 25 | 51 | 80 |
| 2 | Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd | 38 | 25 | 7 | 6 | 53 | 28 | 25 | 80 |
| 3 | Burnley | 38 | 21 | 15 | 2 | 52 | 11 | 41 | 78 |
| 4 | Sunderland | 38 | 19 | 12 | 7 | 55 | 37 | 18 | 69 |
| 5 | Coventry CityCoventry | 38 | 17 | 8 | 13 | 55 | 48 | 7 | 59 |
| 6 | West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom | 38 | 13 | 18 | 7 | 48 | 34 | 14 | 57 |
| 7 | Bristol City | 38 | 14 | 15 | 9 | 49 | 41 | 8 | 57 |
| 8 | Middlesbrough | 38 | 15 | 9 | 14 | 57 | 48 | 9 | 54 |
| 9 | Blackburn RoversBlackburn | 38 | 15 | 7 | 16 | 42 | 40 | 2 | 52 |
| 10 | Watford | 38 | 15 | 7 | 16 | 47 | 51 | -4 | 52 |
| 11 | Millwall | 38 | 13 | 12 | 13 | 37 | 39 | -2 | 51 |
| 12 | Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds | 38 | 14 | 9 | 15 | 53 | 59 | -6 | 51 |
| 13 | Norwich CityNorwich | 38 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 60 | 54 | 6 | 49 |
| 14 | Preston North EndPreston | 38 | 10 | 17 | 11 | 39 | 44 | -5 | 47 |
| 15 | Queens Park RangersQPR | 38 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 44 | 50 | -6 | 45 |
| 16 | Swansea CitySwansea | 38 | 12 | 8 | 18 | 38 | 49 | -11 | 44 |
| 17 | Portsmouth | 38 | 11 | 9 | 18 | 46 | 61 | -15 | 42 |
| 18 | Oxford UnitedOxford Utd | 38 | 10 | 12 | 16 | 39 | 55 | -16 | 42 |
| 19 | Hull City | 38 | 10 | 11 | 17 | 39 | 47 | -8 | 41 |
| 20 | Stoke CityStoke | 38 | 9 | 12 | 17 | 37 | 51 | -14 | 39 |
| 21 | Cardiff CityCardiff | 38 | 9 | 12 | 17 | 42 | 62 | -20 | 39 |
| 22 | Derby CountyDerby | 38 | 10 | 8 | 20 | 40 | 51 | -11 | 38 |
| 23 | Luton TownLuton | 38 | 9 | 8 | 21 | 34 | 60 | -26 | 35 |
| 24 | Plymouth ArgylePlymouth | 38 | 7 | 12 | 19 | 40 | 77 | -37 | 33 |
| > Championship Full Table | |||||||||
