Yann M'Vila has indicated that he would be keen to sign a permanent contract with Sunderland should the Black Cats avoid the Premier League drop this season.
The 25-year-old France international is on a season-long loan from Rubin Kazan and Sunderland do have an option to snap him up permanently at the end of the season.
M'Vila is under contract with Rubin until the end of the calendar year, but his representatives are in discussions with the Russian side to end his contract early so that he can become a free agent in the summer.
"It's important for me to sort out the contract issue with Rubin Kazan, but I have always said that my objective is to play in the Premier League," M'Vila told the Sunderland Echo.
"I want to stay here and play in the Premier League with Sunderland. Hopefully we will stay up and they will make me an offer, and then we can get around the table and talk and hopefully we can continue the adventure."
M'Vila has scored one goal in 24 Premier League appearances this season for the Black Cats, who are 19th and four points from safety.