Bobo is set for switch; EXCLUSIVE.

Byline: By MARK GUIDI

CELTIC star Bobo Balde is set for a pounds 400,000 move to the English Premiership next week - with Birmingham and Sunderland leading the chase.

Blues boss Alex McLeish wants the defender in his team for the Ne'erday glamour clash with Manchester United.

Eck contacted Parkhead last week about Balde's situation and was given encouragement that a deal could go through at the start of the transfer window.

Balde could make his debut against Man United then turn out for City in the FA Cup the following weekend before he leaves for African Nations Cup duty with Guinea on January 7.

But McLeish faces competition from Roy Keane to land the giant stopper.

Keane tried to sign Balde for the Black Cats in August and agreed terms with Celtic - but the player rejected the move.

Balde believed he could force his way into Gordon Strachan's first team but knows there is no chance of that.

He doesn't want to be sitting around in the stand for the next 18 months and now realises he will have to move on.

Balde is expected to hold talks this week with both suitors as he edges closer to the exit.

Meanwhile, Sweden star Marcus Allback reckons Celtic have no chance of tempting Henrik Larsson back - because Manchester United are the ONLY club in Britain he'd go to.

The Hoops legend is on the verge of a sensational second loan spell at Old Trafford.

There was talk of a possible return to Celtic but Allback said: "If Henrik was going back to Britain then he'd only go to United - not to Celtic."

CAPTION(S):

Balde: Fed up in the stand