Sunderland boss Steve Bruce believes he would be backed in the January market if he found the right signing.
Bruce is confident that if the right player comes along American owner Ellis Short will back him in the way he did in August when he found £13million to buy Ghana World Cup striker Asamaoh Gyan.
Bruce said: "I had dinner with the owner last week and he is excited about the future ahead and now he is excited I wouldn't rule it out that we can still go on and smash our transfer record as long as the owner keeps doing what he has done in the past.
"I don't think it will be January because I believe now that there is nobody out there.
"We are in a situation where I believe - and I have said this to Niall Quinn - that we have to keep improving the squad. That's a manager for you - if anyone thinks you are quite happy it is time to pack in. We need one now. One not two. Top, top players.
"Eighteen months ago with the budget I had we probably needed five or six players, now if I had a budget of £10million, then I would spend it on one player.
"It is maybe one of the things I have learned from Sir Alex Ferguson. He has always been prepared to pay big money for up and coming players such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney. If I get the chance I am going to go young too."
