United poised for Bellion move

Manchester United look set to make a move for Sunderland’s pacy French striker David Bellion.

Old Trafford manager Alex Ferguson has been cagey about revealing his plans for the January transfer window but had previously spoken of his desire to bring a new striker to the club.

Talk of a big-money move for Eidur Gudjohnsen was always likely to be wide of the mark given the financial restrictions placed on Ferguson after his record £30m (€46m) signing of defender Rio Ferdinand last summer.

But 20-year-old Bellion, whose Black Cats deal expires in June and who has so far refused to sign a new one, would appear to fit the bill.

New United reserve-team coach Ricky Sbragia will have detailed information on Bellion from his time at Sunderland, while Ferguson is also close friends with former Wearside chief Peter Reid, who took Bellion from Cannes in 2001.

It is believed preliminary discussions have taken place between the clubs, although with United chief executive Peter Kenyon away from Old Trafford for the rest of the week, if the deal is eventually concluded it is unlikely to be done until later in the month.

Although he has made only three starting appearance for Sunderland, Bellion has been used as a substitute 15 times and netted the winner against Aston Villa earlier this season, earning Reid a brief stay of execution before his dismissal in October.

Bellion is still regarded as being somewhat raw, but his pace is an asset United have not had since Andy Cole fell out of favour before his move to Blackburn.