Gus Poyet has made his first move of the January transfer window with a bid of £2.5m for his former Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Liam Bridcutt.

Bridcutt, 24, is a favourite of Poyet and the midfielder is one of those whom the Sunderland manager will use his limited resources in the transfer window to sign to strengthen his squad, currently bottom of the Premier League. The former Chelsea academy boy had attracted interest from other Premier League sides including Norwich City and West Bromwich Albion.

Poyet is also looking at the possibility of signing Shaun Wright-Phillips on loan from Queens Park Rangers. The winger has fallen out of favour with Harry Redknapp.

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Sunderland have a number of key players out of contract in the summer including Sebastian Larsson, Jack Colback and Craig Gardner. Poyet is planning major changes to the squad in the summer whether the club stats in the Premier League or not. Any deal with Brighton is unlikely to be straightforward given the gross misconduct charge that preceded Poyet's departure from the club,

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