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Could a limited budget lead Sunderland to cut-price Nottingham Forest midfielder, Henri Lansbury?

Aston Villa's Ashley Westwood in action with Nottingham Forest's Henri Lansbury (REUTERS)
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Sunderland will be on the lookout for bargains in January, and the Nottingham Forest man could be ideal.

Sunderland chief executive Martin Bain admitted last week that his side’s January budget is ‘limited’ despite the Black Cats’ position within the Premier League’s bottom three [the Sun].

So, barring any significant sales, manager David Moyes will be scouring the market for bargains as he tires to arrest Sunderland’s slide towards the second tier.

On the Scot’s shortlist is expected to feature a central midfielder, with the Mackems already snubbed by last season’s loan signing Yann M’Vila, and Sheffield Wednesday’s Kieran Lee is one name linked in recent weeks [Sheffield Star].

Sheffield Wednesday's Kieran Lee in action withSheffield Wednesday’s Kieran Lee

However, with the Owls not short of cash and manager Carlos Carvalhal adamant there will be no sales next month, Sunderland may have to consider other targets – and another Championship midfielder could be ideal.

Nottingham Forest’s Henri Lansbury, who has scored two and created three more goals than Lee (four, none) this season, looks to be on the move this winter at a fraction of his true market value – with his contract set to expire in June.

Nottingham Forest's Henri Lansbury celebrates after the gameNottingham Forest’s Henri Lansbury (right)

One of the second tier’s most consistent players this decade, the former Arsenal trainee is long overdue a move to the Premier League and could be a good player to have on board should the worst happen to Sunderland this season.

They may have to move fast, however, with Forest only putting a hold on contract negotiations until a proposed takeover goes through, according to the Daily Mirror.

By then it could be too little, too late.

Should Sunderland move for the Nottingham Forest star next month?