Sunderland's French striker David Bellion looks set to join Manchester United this week.
The 20-year-old's season has been hampered by injury but United manager Alex Ferguson has been impressed with the striker in the five games he has played.
Ferguson is reportedly prepared to gamble on Bellion rather than Welsh star Craig Bellamy or Icelandic international Eidur Gudjohnsen.
Sunderland club sources confirmed to the Manchester Evening Newsnegotiations were going well.
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It is expected Bellion will join by the end of the week for a fee of around £3 million.
United originally bid £1.5 million for the player but Sunderland, who signed him on a free transfer from French outfit Cannes, dismissed that offer.