Transfer news: Sunderland target Argentine striker Ignacio Scocco in bid to avoid relegation

Poyet looking to South America to save his club's season

Ignacio Scocco at former club Newell's Old Boys (Getty Images)

Sunderland manager Gus Poyet is reportedly looking to sign Ignacio Scocco in a bid to stave off relegation.

However the Uruguayan has been told he must spend £6.5m if he wants to land the Internacional forward.

It is thought that Sunderland were primarily keen on taking the 28-year-old on loan, but it is understood that his club are only interested in a permanent deal for the Argentine.

Scocco is reportedly keen on a move to Sunderland although the Black Cats may face competition from Argentine sides River Plate and former club Newell's Old Boys, no doubt keen to lure the forward back to the league where he was a star last season.

Scocco's father Hector said: “Internacional don’t want to loan Ignacio out, and the most likely outcome is that he will join Sunderland. Gus Poyet has told us he’s very interested in Ignacio joining them.”