Sunderland boss Gus Poyet admits he fielded enquiries for strikers Jozy Altidore and Steven Fletcher during the January market.
Poyet admits he was left frustrated by the tactics of interested clubs.
"You know what? I've got no problem with making offers," Poyet told the Sunderland Echo. "I've got a problem with people calling and asking if players are available. I hate that.
"It's impossible that I'm going to say someone, even for a player that is not playing, that they are 'available'. The idea is if you want a player, make a proper offer between the two clubs.
"Then we will analyse it, you can see the options and get different opinions.
"We had plenty of enquiries from Jozy or Fletcher, but they were asking 'are you thinking of selling?' or 'can we loan him?'
"What?"
