Injured Sunderland star midfielder could join Galatasaray on a free transfer

Galatasaray manager Igor Tudor has added Sunderland defensive midfielder Jan Kirchhoff to his shortlist, a source close to the Istanbul giants told Turkish-Football.

Tudor is planning an overhaul at the end of the season and is looking to replace Nigel De Jong with a younger defensive midfielder.

De Jong is aged 34 and expected to leave at the end of the season.

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Kirchhoff joined Sunderland from Bayern Munich for £750,000 in January 2016 and played a key role in the Black Cats avoiding relegation.

The 26-year-old joined on an 18-month contract for a bargain fee but he has struggled with fitness and injuries.

The former Bayern man is currently out after suffering another setback to his knee injury.

The Chronicle doubt that he will feature again this season and as a result he is unlikely to receive a contract extension.

“I hoped it would have helped with getting injuries back but it’s not done that,” manager David Moyes revealed.

“I thought we’d maybe get a bit more time out of Victor Anichebe but Kirchhoff’s gone backwards with his knee injury. I certainly won’t have Kirchhoff back, that’s for sure.

“It’s maybe not quite (the end of Kirchhoff’s season), but I would have to say he’s out for the best part of the season.”

Kirchhoff will be a free agent at the end of the season unless he is offered a new deal.

Galatasaray would be able to sign the Germany midfielder as a free transfer.