Bad boy Fraizer Campbell is set to join Sunderland after the European Under-21 Championship in Sweden. The Manchester United striker, who was sent off for two yellow card offences in Friday's semi-final win over the hosts, will be one of new boss Steve Bruce's key summer signings as he bids to add some pace and power to his squad.
Bruce has been monitoring emerging England stars and as well as signing Campbell for £7million, he is also keen to recruit tenacious midfielder Lee Cattermole. Cattermole earned a reputation as one of the most resolute midfielders in the Premier League last season.
Ironically, Cattermole was offered a place by Sunderland when he was 16. However, the youngster from Stockton-onTees decided to spend an extra year at school and then signed for Boro, his local club.
Campbell has had a string of clubs pursuing him - including Hull who had him on an extended loan last season.
Last week the Tigers seemed to move into pole position in the pursuit of Campbell. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has accepted the youngster will not emerge as a first-team player at Old Trafford.
United offered Campbell to Wigan as a makeweight in their pursuit of winger Antonio Valencia.
However, United old boy Bruce believes he can push Sunderland into the lead of the Campbell chase.
Campbell, 21, has pace and and a sharp eye for goal, but his lack of self-discipline was evident on Friday night.
Campbell had entered the fray as a second-half substitute for Gabriel Agbonlahor.
But his aggressive challenges saw him spark ugly scenes with opposing players and made his eventual dismissal by Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir seemingly inevitable.
Campbell will be ineligible for tomorrow's Final, but he knows his club future will be mapped out quickly on his return to England this week.
Bruce is not the only Premier League manager taking a keen interest in the development of the Under-21 squad.
Given that Campbell spent last season on loan at Hull, only three of the entire England squad play for clubs from the big four.
Theo Walcott and Kieran Gibbs are with Arsenal, while Chelsea youngster Michael Mancienne is one of the defenders in Stuart Pearce's title-chasing squad.
