Tony Mowbray wants fresh faces adding to the squad and Sunderland are looking in France for solutions.
The Black Cats, who have seen players depart the club in recent days, are focused on incomings and backing Mowbray.
French giants PSG are the club Sunderland are now trying to do business with and they have a deal in place.
An agreement is done with PSG for defender Pembele, according to French sports daily L’Equipe, and he will join Sunderland in the coming hours.
Pembele will put pen to paper to a contract which is described as long term.
Sunderland will now want to push the deal over the line as quickly as possible with the clock ticking.
The Black Cats are also trying to persuade Crystal Palace to send youngster Jesurun Rak-Sakyi on loan as they make preparations for life without Patrick Roberts.
