Sunderland have insisted striker David Bellion will not
complete a £3m move to Manchester United during the January
transfer window.
It had been reported that negotiations between the clubs were at
an advanced stage,
Bellion can leave The Stadium of Light on a free transfer at the
end of the season, with Sir Alex Ferguson ready to test
Sunderland's resolve to hang on to the gifted French striker.
But Sunderland issued a statement reading: "While there has been
a lot of talk about David Bellion in relation to his current
position and a potential move in January, we do not anticipate
anything happening.
"David is contracted to the club until the end of the season and
it would not be in the club's best interests to allow him to
leave."
The 20-year-old has apparently impressed Man Utd boss Sir Alex
Ferguson despite only making five starts this season.
Bellion was signed for Sunderland by former boss Peter Reid on a
Bosman free transfer from Cannes in 2001. |
