Having already signed Titus Bramble, Cristian Riveros, Simon Mignolet and Marcos Angeleri this summer, Bruce has confirmed that Welbeck is next on his wish list and that he hopes to sign three more players before the transfer window closes.
"We will have a conversation when Manchester United get back from the USA and see if we can make progress," he told the Sunderland Echo earlier this week.
"It's something I'm still very keen on but the transfer window closes at the end of August not this week, so there is time for things to develop.
"Last year we did our best business in the last week or so with Darren Bent ad Michael Turner so the will be more to-ing and fro-ing."
Welbeck, who played a key role in United's victories over Celtic and the Philadelphia Union, spent last season on loan to Preston North End and has said he is happy to spend another spell away from Old Trafford if it is what Sir Alex Ferguson wants.
With his long-term plans very much centred on being at United, Welbeck said: "My main aim is to be part of the first team set-up this season, but I’m happy to go on loan if the manager wants me to. I just want to keep playing games and improving.”
Meanwhile, Bruce is hopeful he can renew Sunderland's deal with Lyon's John Mensah after the defender impressed with Ghana at the World Cup this summer.
"I would love to bring John Mensah back," Bruce is quoted as saying in the Times. "We know he has fitness problems but he's one of the best defenders I've worked with.
"He had a wonderful World Cup, which didn't help our cause, but he is worth pursuing because of his natural talent."
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