Sunderland have offered Liverpool £7.5 million for England international Nick Barmby.
Sunderland want Barmby to replace Scottish international Don Hutchison who was sold to West Ham for £5 million yesterday in their midfield.
Former Everton player Barmby joined Liverpool last summer but quit Tottenham eight years ago to return to his native north east and join Middlesbrough.
Liverpool do not want to sell Barmby with injury problems persisting for Czech star Patrick Berger but Sunderland may increase their offer for Barmby who is almost certain to start for England tomorrow night in their crucial 2002 World Cup qualifier in Germany.
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