SUNDERLAND last night insisted they can prove David Bellion was offered a new contract at the Stadium of Light.

It has been claimed that the Black Cats stand to receive nothing from Manchester United after a blunder over the player's deal.

The suggestion was that Sunderland never sent a recorded delivery letter to offer the France Under-21 international new terms by the third Saturday in May - meaning the winger would become a completely free agent.

However, Sunderland have hit back at those reports and they say they have documentary evidence that proves improved terms were offered and turned down by Bellion.

A club spokesperson said: "We made a formal offer to David through his agent in January which reflected his future valuation and his potential.

"This was a much improved contract offer in writing. His agent, Mike Morris, rejected this in writing at the end of January. And we do have both letters.

"We are now in talks with the Football League to arrange a date for a tribunal."

Sunderland turned down an offer of £1m for Bellion - who has been compared to being a young Thierry Henry - during the January transfer window from the Old Trafford club.

And the former Cannes star is believed to have been offered a deal to stay on Wearside, which would have represented a 500 per cent increase in salary.

Now Sunderland are adamant that they should receive a substantial compensation figure from United for a player they rate in the same bracket as Matt Piper - who cost Sunderland £3.5m.

The fee for the out-of-contract forward's switch is due to be settled by a tribunal, as FIFA rules allow clubs to seek compensation for losing players under 24.

Meanwhile, Rangers boss Alex McLeish has been told he must sell before trying to land Sunderland striker Kevin Phillips.

McLeish admits he would like to take Phillips to Ibrox but the manager of the Scottish champions knows a lot depends on whether he can offload one of his stars.

Rangers have already purchased Nuno Capucho and Zura Khizanishvili this summer and are in negotiations with former Black Cats defender Emerson Thome over a free transfer.

And if the Glasgow giants want to add Phillips to that list they will most likely have to sell midfielder Mikel Arteta - with Spanish side Atletico Madrid on the verge of a £5m bid.

McLeish said: "When money comes in we are going to be able to spend.

"You have heard the chairman saying we are not going to be net spenders any more.

"We are always interested in good players and Kevin Phillips is a good player, but there's no green light as far as I'm concerned."

Sunderland are hoping to receive £3.5m from the sale of Phillips.

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