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Sunderland are close to signing former Bolton defender Marcos Alonso on loan from Fiorentina but boss Gus Poyet is unlikely to get more funds in January.

It is understood owner Ellis Short is unwilling to invest in the team, meaning Poyet will have to sell before he can buy in the transfer window.

Poyet will otherwise have to continue with the club's transfer policy of signing free agents or players on loan.

Spaniard Alonso, 22, left Bolton for Italian outfit Fiorentina in May 2013.

Eight of the 14 players who arrived at the Stadium of Light in the summer were either season-long loan deals or free transfers.

While Poyet is only looking to make temporary additions, relegation rivals including West Ham and Crystal Palace are expected to be busy, with funds being made available to Sam Allardyce and Tony Pulis respectively.

While Sunderland are currently bottom of the Premier League, they boosted their survival hopes with a 1-0 win over Everton at Goodison Park on Boxing Day.

The omens for the Black Cats do not look good, though.

Only avoided relegation after being bottom of the Premier League table at Christmas.