SIMON GRAYSON admits he would like to sign Robert Snodgrass – but Sunderland will struggle to put together a financial package for the West Ham United midfielder.

Snodgrass has been told he is free to leave West Ham this month on either a loan deal or a permanent transfer, and having worked with the 29-year-old during his time at Leeds United, Grayson is keen to be reunited at the Stadium of Light.

There has been contact between the two clubs, but Sunderland are not currently in a position to make a formal move.

Snodgrass cost West Ham £7m when he moved from Hull City in January, and is understood to be earning around £70,000-a-week at the London Stadium.

“When people like him (Snodgrass) become available, you would be foolish not to consider it,” said Grayson. “Again, that would be a deal dictated by finances. Can we do it? Who knows, but we might ask the question.”

Grayson’s room for manoeuvre in the transfer market will largely be dictated by whether players leave Wearside before the transfer window closes on August 31.

Lyon are preparing an offer for Didier Ndong, but while Sunderland will struggle to turn down a bid of more than £10m for their club-record signing, Grayson does not want to lose the 23-year-old.

Ndong has been one of the Black Cats’ most effective performers in the opening three Championship matches, and has formed a successful partnership with Lee Cattermole at the heart of midfield.

“Didier has shown the quality of a £13.6m player,” said Grayson. “But I think when you look at the whole team, all the players have had a good start to the season, they’ve really hit the ground running.

“You want to keep good players, but as we’ve seen with different players at other clubs this week, you’re aware that bids may come in for players and you have to consider them.

“As it stands, at this moment in time, we’ve got no bids in for any players, but there’s strong interest in one or two of them because they’re good players.”