Sunderland are preparing an offer to sign Dimitar Berbatov.

The Bulgarian top scored as Manchester United won the title in 2010-11, but he was largely frozen out by Sir Alex Ferguson last summer.

Berbatov is in the final 12 months of his contract at Old Trafford, but he has fallen even further down the pecking order since Robin van Persie’s arrival.

Ferguson is willing to let the 31-year-old leave for £5million, and Martin O’Neill hopes the promise of regular first team action will be enough to entice him to the Stadium of Light.