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Wigan boss Steve Bruce could be set for a sensational return to his native North East if reports linking him to the vacant Sunderland job are to be believed.

Bruce has done an excellent job at Wigan, turning what were traditionally Greater Manchester's sixth club into a solid Premier League side.

Reports claim that a £5 million compensation package had already been agreed with the Latics, clearing the way for the former Birmingham, Crystal Palace and Huddersfield manager to discuss personal terms with the Wearsiders.

And Bruce, who has irritated fans of previous clubs by walking as soon as a better offer comes along, was typically ambiguous about the rumour.

"There's always speculation and you cannot stop that. It is flattering," the former Manchester United defender told Sky Sports.

"But I'm very, very pleased with what's happened with us (Wigan) and I'm quite pleased with what's happening in the future, so we'll see what develops."

At first glance, it seems like a crazy move to leave a solid, mid-table club who have the potential to go further with a few key signings.

But Bruce will almost certainly lose star winger Antonio Valencia to Real Madrid or another big club this summer, while the goals dried up after on-loan Zamalek striker Amr Zaki threw his toy camel out of the pram and decided he did not fancy being a top player after all.

Bruce was also forced to sell Emile Heskey to Aston Villa and Wilson Palacios to Tottenham, sorting low-cost deals for Mido and Ben Watson.

Yes, there will be cash to spend from the Valencia sale, but it is unlikely Bruce will be able to afford adequate replacements for both him and Zaki, thus leaving the club short of the four best players from their impressive early-season form.

Sunderland, meanwhile, have the cash of billionaire Ellis Short to burn and the lure of 45,000 wild, topless Mackems roaring their players on, as opposed to the five men and a dog Wigan took half an hour down the road to Old Trafford this season.

Expect Bruce, then, to become the fifth manager at the Stadium of Light in as many years.

Latics chief Dave Whelan is reportedly lining up current number two Eric Black and Swansea boss Roberto Martinez - a former Wigan player - as possible replacements.

Manchester United could yet keep Carlos Tevez after all after chief exec David Gill softened his approach to the fee MSI are demanding for the Argentina striker.

Tevez has been linked with moves to Chelsea, Liverpool and Internazionale after his two-year loan deal at Old Trafford expires this summer.

The former West Ham star admitted he was disillusioned with United's reluctance to cede to Kia Joorabchian's demands, but boss Sir Alex Ferguson wants to keep him.

"It is clear that we have to pay a certain sum, and that is £25.5 million," Gill was quoted saying in British newspapers. "Our honest opinion, in the current economic climate, is that fee is a bit top heavy - but that's not to say that we won't pay that if we want to secure the transfer.

"Other clubs may be ready to pay that - or more than that - so we have to understand that we are operating in a certain marketplace."

Chelsea's Portugal duo Ricardo Carvalho and Deco could be in line for a move to Inter after boss Jose Mourinho was promised a big transfer kitty as part of his new contract.

Carvalho is considered an important player at Stamford Bridge but his season was ruined by injury and Inter would offer him a fresh start and reunion with buddy Mourinho.

Deco, meanwhile, failed to impress since a decent start to his £8m move from Barcelona, and the slower pace of Serie A would suit his somewhat languid game more than the hustle and bustle of the Premier League.

They would go for a combined fee of around £12m.

Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos has begged to be allowed to stay at Milan after finding his feet in the second half of his loan season.

The multi-lingual Swiss international, who is viewed as no more than back-up at the Emirates, played 19 games for the Rossoneri and is loving life in Italy.

"I feel very good here and would like to stay," he said. "At the beginning it was a little difficult because I was injured, but I have worked extensively with (Carlo Ancelotti) and this helped me a lot for the second half of the season."

Fulham are also reportedly keen, should Arsenal firm-up their interest for Whites centre-half Brede Hangeland.

Portsmouth defender Sylvain Distin could be tempted back to the North West after Bolton reportedly launched a £3m bid for the Frenchman.

Former Manchester City stopper Distin, 31, has been one of Pompey's mainstays in recent years but the managerial and financial uncertainty at Fratton Park could lead him to seek a more stable option.

Reda Maher / Eurosport