SUNDERLAND boss Steve Bruce slapped in a stunning �10million offer for Wigan old boy Lee Cattermole last night - and will sign the England under-21 midfielder for the big kick-off.

SUNDERLAND boss Steve Bruce slapped in a stunning �10million offer for Wigan old boy Lee Cattermole last night - and will sign the England under-21 midfielder for the big kick-off. (Daily Mirror)

Cattermole is set to be given permission to head for Wearside today as Latics accept the fee is too good to refuse and also accept that the former Middlesbrough starlet wants to go.

The strong-tackling star will pick up a bumper contract at the Stadium of Light and should be in the side for the opener at Bolton as Bruce finally makes another transfer breakthrough.

The money is more than Sunderland wanted to pay - and is double their first offer of a few weeks ago - but Wigan fought hard and chairman Dave Whelan hung out for top dollar.

Bruce is paying almost THREE times the money that he splashed out for him a year ago when Wigan signed Cattermole from Boro and gave him the regular football he wanted.

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez is willing to take the chance of selling an unsettled player, bringing in a couple of new faces of his own for the position in the next few days.

Cattermole's return to the north east will see him line up beside former Marseille skipper Lorik Cana in a tough partnership, but it will also be a test for him off the pitch.

Bruce had to discipline Cattermole for an incident in his local patch last season and he also told the midfielder that he was better off away from the area. But now he is hoping that added maturity will keep him out of trouble.