Sunderland are reported to have beaten Manchester City and Everton to the signature of Manchester United's Kieran Richardson.

The England midfielder is now due in the northeast to hold talks with a view to finalising a move to Wearside.

According to reports in The Sun, Black Cats manager Roy Keane has agreed to pay United £5.5million for the 22-year-old who came through the youth ranks at Old Trafford.

Manchester City's new chief Sven-Goran Eriksson - who gave Richardson his international debut - is also thought to be keen, while Everton manager David Moyes has also been tracking the winger, who is comfortable on either flank.

However, Richardson's former United team-mate Keane appears on course to secure his signature.