Aston Villa have made a late bid to grab Tottenham defender Younes Kaboul before he signs for Sunderland.
It is believed Villa tabled an undisclosed offer at the 11th hour with the Morocco-born player due to head for Wearside for a medical today.
Kaboul has now asked the Black Cats for more time, despite saying he was hugely impressed with Sunderland manager Roy Keane and the set up at the club.
Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp admitted his club was in the frame last week, but later revealed he understood the defender would be joining Villa.
Sunderland made a bold move last week when they tabled a joint bid of around £16million for Spurs players Kaboul, Teemu Tainio, Pascal Chimbonda and Steed Malbranque.
Finnish midfielder Tainio has completed his move, while there have been positive noises from Chimbonda.
However, there has been no word on Malbranque and Kaboul's future now appears to be uncertain with Villa now stepping up their pursuit.
