Sunderland appear to have beaten of competition from Premiership rivals to secure a deal for the former Birmingham player Seb Larsson. The Sweden international midfielder's contract with Birmingham had expired at the end of the season.
A number of clubs were interested, including Arsenal, Blackburn, Aston Villa and Fulham .
But the 26-year-old has elected to join up again with Steve Bruce, having played under the Wearside boss during his time at the St Andrews helm, claims his father Svante Larsson.
"Sunderland have been on really hard since January. Steve Bruce has done much to bring about a deal and been very active," Larsson senior told Sport Folket.
"Sebastian along the way pointed out Sunderland as a distinct possibility. We have turned every stone and weighed the pros and cons.
"[The] Parties agree on the economic conditions and what remains is to agree on the length of the contract.
"They want a little longer and we want less. But I think there will be no problems."
