Sunderland boss Paolo di Canio has reaffirmed his intentions to keep Stephane Sessegnon.
However if owner Ellis Short decides to cash in on one of his main assets, Di Canio wants the money invested immediately in his team
Di Canio said: "I have to be clear - I don't want to sell Sessegnon and for me he is not for sale.
"We have to speak privately with the board, but I don't want to sell Sessegnon. If someone wants to sell Sessegnon, they will have to think that they will have to bring a top central midfield player and a top striker. Not just someone for cover, or some kid who is still learning the game.
"We need quality, numbers and physical presence in the middle of the pitch. For me, Sessegnon is not for sale. But if someone wants to sell him, they will have to bring me a striker with quality, that I like, and also a midfield player, not for cover. Someone with good quality, experience and physical presence.
"Otherwise Sessegnon is not for sale and one more central midfield player has to come in anyway. I have to be clear - he is not for sale in my opinion, and we have to bring in one central midfield player as well.
"We have a strategy. I work with the potential we've got and what we can do. I don't oblige the club because fortunately I don't have this power. I know we have to be sensible. We have spent - although much less than in the past, much less - we have brought in ten players, but there have been exits.
"At this moment, if we can only bring in one player without selling Sessegnon, it would absolutely be a central midfield player. If we can bring two, it would be a central midfield player and a winger. If we can bring three, it would be a central midfielder, a winger and a left-back. This is the reality. We have to be honest."
