David Moyes will have no money to spend in January with Sunderland owner Ellis Short ready to sell the club.
Black Cats chief executive Martin Bain has warned that transfer funds will be 'very limited' and says the club can no longer attempt to buy their way out of trouble, as they did when spending £15million under Sam Allardyce last season.
Bain also confirmed that American billionaire Short is 'willing to listen to offers' for the Premier League's bottom club, although he will continue to cover debts.
There remains the possibility that West Ham could trigger the £25m release clause in Lamine Kone's contract, but even then there is no guarantee that Moyes will be able to reinvest all of the money.