"sought to position" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a desire or an intent to achieve a certain position or status. For example, "She sought to position herself as an expert in the field."
He also sought to position himself as a leader of all Turks.
Porsche sought to position itself as "a genuine pioneer" in hybrid drive technologies.
In a rush of news conferences, lawmakers in both parties sought to position themselves for the battle over energy legislation.
The proposal follows others in which Cooper has sought to position Labour as the party of law and order.
Until recently the association had sought to position Long Island as an emerging center of biotechnology and other high-tech industries.
In his Wall Street speech, Mr. Bush acknowledged the moral dimension of the scandals and sought to position himself on the high ground.
And when, inevitably, he turned to the subject of international trade, he sought to position himself as a defender of African-American interests.
Since the early 1970's, Dr. Damadian has sought to position himself as a central figure in the development of what was then known as nuclear magnetic resonance.
Still others, more baby moguls than music maniacs, had smelled the money in a transforming arena and sought to position themselves in its flow.
Clegg's speech, emphasising "fairness" and accountability, won two standing ovations as he sought to position the Lib Dems as the party NHS workers could trust.
Meanwhile Crabb sought to position himself as the compassionate Conservative heir to David Cameron, making an upbeat speech focused on life opportunities and social mobility.
