Bruce wants a Penn pal at the stadium of light
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TARGET ... Jermaine Pennant
STEVE BRUCE is trying to make Jermaine Pennant his first signing at Sunderland - and he can land the winger on a free transfer.
New Black Cats boss Bruce took Pennant from Arsenal in 2005 when he was in charge at Birmingham and has made several attempts to sign him since.
Pennant was on loan at Portsmouth from Liverpool and has been touted for a switch to Real Madrid, with Atletico also monitoring his situation.
But Pennant, 26, is reluctant to move abroad - no matter how big the club. And Sunderland look certain to benefit.
Bruce is willing to pay him around £65,000 a week with the offer of a three-year contract already on the table.
But Bruce has been told by Wigan chairman Dave Whelan to forget about signing England Under-21 midfielder Lee Cattermole.
He said: "Lee is not going anywhere. You can't replace these kinds of players."
The Latics have strengthened their midfield options by bringing in Spanish ace Jordi Gomez for £1.8million.
The Espanyol star, 24, is well known to boss Roberto Martinez as he had him for a year-long loan spell at Swansea last season. He scored 14 goals in 51 games.
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Wa Free, at least some 2 M la