Pennant bait for Heskey bid

Steve Bruce is set to make a move to sign Liverpool outcast Jermain Pennant in January, with Emile Heskey tipped to move the other way.

Pennant's dream of a surprise move to Real Madrid appears to have now collapsed as a deal has failed to materialise despite the Spanish side making a bid in the region of £3million for the winger a few days before Christmas.

And, with Reds boss Rafa Benitez desperate to sell the out-of-favour former Arsenal and Birmingham man, a move to Wigan in the transfer window is a distinct possibility.

Latics boss Steve Bruce got the best out of the 25-year-old when the pair were at Birmingham and remains a big fan of Pennant, despite some reported off-field problems.

Bruce has refused to rule out making a bid for him and could request Pennant is included in any deal that goes through between Liverpool and Wigan for Heskey.

The England striker has been linked with a return to Anfield in the new year for several weeks and is thought to be very keen on making a return to Anfield with Wigan prepared to listen to considerable offers because the 30-year-old is out of contract in the summer.