United pay £3m for Bellion as Barthez talks to Marseilles

Sunderland have accepted a compensation package from Manchester United for the young striker David Bellion which includes an initial £2m fee. As one Frenchman's tenure at Old Trafford is ratified, however, another's looks set to end, with Marseilles officials in Manchester last night to negotiate the transfer of Fabien Barthez.

The compensation for signing Bellion includes further payments worth up to £1m dependent on appearances and international call-ups, and a sell-on clause. The Sunderland chairman, Bob Murray, said: "We're happy with the package and feel that it is entirely deserved as we lost an exciting and talented young player. It is to the benefit of both clubs that we have been able to reach an agreement without the need for a tribunal."

The 20-year-old moved to Old Trafford when he turned down a new contract with Sunderland after his original one expired in June. Bellion joined the Wearsiders from Cannes in 2001 and made just 24 appearances, mostly as a substitute. He has only played a peripheral role for United so far this season.

Marseilles last night confirmed they have opened negotiations with United to re-sign Barthez. The France goalkeeper has fallen out of favour at Old Trafford following the signing of Tim Howard, and the Marseilles coach, Alain Perrin, confirmed that talks were underway.

"We have already made propositions through agents," Perrin said. "They were not initially accepted but they have enabled us to open talks, which tends to show we are not so far away. [The Marseilles director] Philippe Piola is today in Manchester to negotiate with the English club."

Marseilles need a keeper to cover for their injured reserve, Cedric Carasso, although it is unlikely that Barthez, who left the club in 1995 for Monaco, would move unless he was guaranteed the starting place occupied by Vedran Runje. "The Barthez option is without doubt more interesting than the others," Perrin said. "It would be a great coup for Marseilles."

Tottenham luring Martin O'Neill away from Celtic to replace the sacked Glenn Hoddle would similarly have been a great coup, though yesterday the club finally took his name off their list of possible managers having received word from Glasgow that he will definitely be staying at Celtic Park.

Hoddle said yesterday that he is desperate for work. "I'm bored stiff already," he said. "I want to work. I feel there's unfinished business. I'm 46 years of age and I want a job."

Hoddle is still struggling to reconcile himself with his dismissal so soon into the new season. "I just feel frustrated that, after six matches, they decided to sack me," he said. "It was illogical. I still can't get my head round it.

"It's very different to leaving the England job," he added. "That wasn't for football reasons, and at the end of that experience I felt absolutely shattered. I needed a year off and I took it. But at the moment I don't feel like that at all. I'm full of enthusiasm... I don't feel in need of a rest. I want to work again.

Hoddle concluded on an optimistic note. "Who's to say that one day I won't end up back at Spurs?" he asked. "Who knows? Football's such a weird game, isn't it?"

Nothing would be stranger than Paul Gascoigne turning out for Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Wolves manager, Dave Jones, has given the former England midfielder the chance to get himself match-fit by training with his side. Jones has also refused to rule out giving the 36-year-old an unexpected chance in the Premiership.

Gascoigne, who has been playing for the Chinese side Gansu Tianma and was expected to sign for a team in the Middle East, last played in the top flight for Everton 20 months ago.

"We are trying to help him," Jones said. "He's been doing training and running with us, and the arrangement is open-ended. He stays as long as he wants to. Along the way, if he turns out to be what we know Paul can be, then you never say never."