Cattermole's Sunderland Move looks a done deal

by Will Swanson. Published Thu 13 Aug 2009 14:42, Last updated: 2009-08-13

It is the move all Latics fans hoped would not happen and a serious blow to Roberto Martinez's plans so close to the start of the new season.

Lee Cattermole is expected become a Sunderland player by the weekend, according to the Sunderland Evening Chronicle.

The paper claims, “Sunderland and Wigan have been locked in talks over the last 24 hours and sources in the North-West say that a deal - worth around £9 million is 'virtually done.'

It seems Martinez is willing to let Cattermole go in order to finance his own squad rebuilding programme.

It will be interesting to see if he has in place any contingency plans in terms of securing replacements before the transfer window closes.

Sunderland manager, Steve Bruce, says he is 'hopeful' of bringing in one new face before Sunderland kick-off their Premier League campaign at Bolton on Saturday. While he did not refer to him by name, Cattermole is the man he wants.

He said: "I'd like to add another couple of new signings before the end of the transfer window. I'm hopeful that one deal might go through before Saturday.”