SUNDERLAND are set to seal a sensational swoop for Manchester United starlet Adnan Januzaj - but only if Pedro arrives at Old Trafford.
United are closing in on the Barcelona midfielder after tabling a £22m bid, and that move holds the key to Januzaj's immediate future.
Ambitious Sunderland first contacted United two months ago about the prospect of signing the Belgian international on a season-long loan.
Their chances of landing the 20-year-old appeared slim with United chief Louis van Gaal hinting he had a key role to play this season.
United's move for Pedro, however, persuaded Sunderland to try again and this time, the Black Cats have received some encouragement.
They now believe there is a good chance Januzaj will join them before Saturday's Premier League opener at Leicester.
Everton and Aston Villa are also understood to be eyeing the youngster but Sunderland can point to the fact that Johnny Evans and Danny Welbeck have enjoyed successful loan stints on Wearside in recent seasons.
The two clubs have been involved in several deals in recent years with current Sunderland captain John O'Shea, Wes Brown and Phil Bardsley all swapping United for the Black Cats.
And fellow Dutchmen Dick Advocaat and Van Gaal are long-standing managerial rivals, who enjoy a healthy relationship.
Januzaj burst onto the scene in a United win at the Stadium of Light two years ago with his first league goals in a 2-1 win.
But after impressing during David Moyes' ill-fated season in charge, he made just seven starts under Van Gaal.
Pedro's imminent arrival would push him further down the pecking order with United feeling a spell out on loan at a club they know well may be the best option.
If Januzaj does join Sunderland, it would compensate for the collapse of Leroy Fer's move to Sunderland.
The QPR midfielder was expected to join the Black Cats on a season-long loan but returned to his parent club yesterday with sources suggesting he had failed a medical.
But Sunderland are expected to finalise a move for former Liverpool target Yann M'Vila from Russian outfit Rubin Kazan.
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