Yann M'Vila is heading back to Sunderland with the announcement of the move imminent.
The French midfielder spent time on loan with the Black Cats last season, but returned to parent club Rubin Kazan earlier this summer as no deal had been agreed for him to stay at the Stadium of Light.
Now Sunderland have thrashed out a deal with Rubin Kazan and M'Vila has agreed a four-year contract with the Premier League club, according to French sports daily L'Equipe.
The formal completion of the transfer is expected imminently.
M'Vila had been keen to return to Sunderland following his loan spell with the club last term.
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He will though be playing under a different manager after Sam Allardyce left to take over England and Sunderland moved to appoint former Manchester United boss David Moyes as his replacement.
M'Vila joined Rubin Kazan from French outfit Rennes in 2013, but was loaned to Italian side Inter just a year later.
He had just six months remaining on his contract with the Russian club, who were keen to offload him from their wage bill.
