GUS POYET is considering Sunderland’s options on the transfer front ahead of an important January when he is desperate to strengthen his squad further.

The Black Cats have endured an indifferent start to the Premier League season but have shown signs of improvement heading in to this Saturday’s trip to Leicester City.

And Poyet is keen to avoid a severe slip in form after Christmas and is weighing up potential targets for the New Year, although they will have to pay big if he is to land top one of his favoured targets Bruma.

The 20-year-old has struggled for game time at Galatasaray but that has not put off the Istanbul club from slapping a €10m price-tag on him before the transfer window opens on January 1.

Cesare Prandelli, Galatasaray’s Italian coach, has been told that the Turkish side are only willing to let him go on a permanent basis if they recoup that fee which they paid Sporting Lisbon in January this year.

It has emerged that Sunderland tried with a cheeky attempt to lure Bruma to the Stadium of Light on loan at the beginning of the year. That was knocked back by Sporting, although Poyet remains keen and he could return in January with a fresh approach despite strong competition.

“Sunderland wanted to loan Bruma in January,” said the player’s agent Marco Kirdemir. “This summer Everton and Monaco wanted Bruma on loan, they had been keeping tabs on him for a while. I can see Bruma playing in the Premier League in the future.”

As well as Sunderland and Everton, West Ham United, Manchester United and Chelsea have all previously been touted as a potential Premier League destination for Bruma.

Poyet is understood to have already had discussions with sporting director Lee Congerton during the international break about potential targets for the winter transfer window. Sunderland have also been linked with Senegal international Stephane Badji, who plays for SK Brann.