MANCHESTER City's Peter Schmeichel will be the chief beneficiary if fellow World Cup pundit Peter Reid takes Denmark Under-21 goalkeeper Stephan Andersen to Sunderland.

Danish legend Schmeichel is the owner of Andersen's club, Hvidovre, and controls the transfer rights to four of their brightest young prospects - including the 20-year-old keeper, who is rated at £750,000.

In return for clearing club debts and investing around £1.5m, Schmeichel negotiated an agreement which could net him millions. And Sunderland boss Reid, who has worked alongside Schmeichel with BBC TV during the World Cup and handed Andersen a trial last season, is weighing up a permanent deal as he seeks urgent cover for Denmark No 1 Thomas Sorensen.

Andersen, who appeared for Sunderland Reserves against Leeds, is desperate to follow in the footsteps of Schmeichel and Black Cats keeper Sorensen, and make his name in the English game.

Like Sorensen before him, Andersen has been tipped to take over the mantle of 38-year-old Schmeichel, who joined Kevin Keegan's City on a free transfer at the end of last season after a year with Aston Villa.

Former Manchester United star Schmeichel also recommended Andersen for a trial at Villa last term after coming to Hvidovre's rescue around 18 months ago.

Schmeichel, who launched his career with Hvidovre - where he scored six goals in 88 League appearances - appointed his wife to the board when he returned to England following a two-year spell with Sporting Lisbon.

Although he will relinquish ownership of Hvidovre at the end of this month, his transfer franchise is understood to run for a further two years, or until all four of the players in question are sold.