FROM SUNDERLANDTODAY
bellion move is agreed
DAVID BELLION'S move to Manchester United is done and dusted and now only awaits official confirmation.
The flying Frenchman's contract with Sunderland runs out at the end of the month and until June 30 there is likely to be no public announcement on the 20-year-old's future.
But the deal with United is already sewn up and Bellion will be a member of Sir Alex Ferguson's squad when the new season starts.
Sunderland fans are likely to have to a few more weeks to wait before hearing official confirmation that Bellion has finally become a Red Devil - ending United's season-long pursuit of the talented youngster.
But the Frenchman's move has already been set-up and now the only question remaining is what compensation Sunderland will seek.
Sunderland chairman Bob Murray was furious at United's attempt to lure the young forward away from Wearside during the course of the last campaign, and took the unusual step of publicly slating the Old Trafford club for their approaches.
Now it seems likely that Sunderland will seek to take the case to a tribunal and ask for substantial damages.
Bellion's signing of a new contract was regarded as something of a foregone conclusion before the sacking of Peter Reid in October.
But in the the aftermath of his departure, United's interest in the player was made clear and the Frenchman stalled on a new deal before finally deciding to exercise his right to move under freedom of contract this summer.
Murray is convinced that Bellion would almost certainly have stayed at Sunderland had United not turned his head.
And when the player's move is officially confirmed, Sunderland are likely to make an official complaint about the way the deal was progressed.
Meanwhile, the club is carrying on with its efforts to offload players, with Tore Andre Flo attracting surprise interest from Spain.
The club's £6.75million record signing was expected to remain on Wearside after an unimpressive debut season made it likely that no-one would be interested in signing a player who picks up in the region of £40,000 a week.
But Real Betis are reported to be monitoring the Norwegian's situation and today it emerged that a second Spanish club has shown interest in the player - both clubs considering offers in the region of £3million.
Flo would favour the move having last week expressed a desire to move to the continent if a deal could be done.
And Sunderland would jump at the chance to shed a player who is on massive wages and whose future contribution to the club must be in doubt, given the more physical nature of the Nationwide First Division.
bellion move is agreed
DAVID BELLION'S move to Manchester United is done and dusted and now only awaits official confirmation.
The flying Frenchman's contract with Sunderland runs out at the end of the month and until June 30 there is likely to be no public announcement on the 20-year-old's future.
But the deal with United is already sewn up and Bellion will be a member of Sir Alex Ferguson's squad when the new season starts.
Sunderland fans are likely to have to a few more weeks to wait before hearing official confirmation that Bellion has finally become a Red Devil - ending United's season-long pursuit of the talented youngster.
But the Frenchman's move has already been set-up and now the only question remaining is what compensation Sunderland will seek.
Sunderland chairman Bob Murray was furious at United's attempt to lure the young forward away from Wearside during the course of the last campaign, and took the unusual step of publicly slating the Old Trafford club for their approaches.
Now it seems likely that Sunderland will seek to take the case to a tribunal and ask for substantial damages.
Bellion's signing of a new contract was regarded as something of a foregone conclusion before the sacking of Peter Reid in October.
But in the the aftermath of his departure, United's interest in the player was made clear and the Frenchman stalled on a new deal before finally deciding to exercise his right to move under freedom of contract this summer.
Murray is convinced that Bellion would almost certainly have stayed at Sunderland had United not turned his head.
And when the player's move is officially confirmed, Sunderland are likely to make an official complaint about the way the deal was progressed.
Meanwhile, the club is carrying on with its efforts to offload players, with Tore Andre Flo attracting surprise interest from Spain.
The club's £6.75million record signing was expected to remain on Wearside after an unimpressive debut season made it likely that no-one would be interested in signing a player who picks up in the region of £40,000 a week.
But Real Betis are reported to be monitoring the Norwegian's situation and today it emerged that a second Spanish club has shown interest in the player - both clubs considering offers in the region of £3million.
Flo would favour the move having last week expressed a desire to move to the continent if a deal could be done.
And Sunderland would jump at the chance to shed a player who is on massive wages and whose future contribution to the club must be in doubt, given the more physical nature of the Nationwide First Division.
