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After a summer of speculation and several rejected bids, Sunderland have finally been given permission to speak to Wigan defender Leighton Baines.

The England Under 21 rejected a new contract with the Latics earlier this week, fuelling reports that Sunderland would make a fresh bid for the left-back.

Although the two clubs are yet to agree on a fee, the Sunderland Echo claims that Wigan have given Baines permission to speak to the north-east club.

The promising 22-year-old is valued at around £6million, and if the transfer does go through it will push Roy Keane’s summer spending up to £22million, having already signed Michael Chopra, Dickson Etuhu, Greg Halford and Russell Anderson.

The Wearsiders clearly think that defence is the best form of attack as they look to secure Premiership survival this season. They have also been strongly linked to Hearts’ highly rated keeper Craig Gordon.

Keane will have a tough task convincing Baines that a move to the Stadium of Light will be beneficial for the player who is tipped to be a star of the future.