Sunderland increase Cattermole offer to £6m

Sunderland have increased their offer for Wigan Athletic midfielder Lee Cattermole to £6m, according to reports.

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Lee Cattermole: England U21

Former Latics boss Steve Bruce, who quit Wigan to head to the Stadium of Light in June, is eager to add the tough tackling England Under-21 international to his Black Cats squad.

Wigan have already rejected an initial bid, reported to be around £5m, and new manager Roberto Martinez said: "Lee is not for sale, end of story.

"He is a fantastic player, a leader on and off the field, and he is central to our plans going forwards. We are not interested in selling him."

Cattermole began his career at Middlesbrough in 2005 before Bruce took him to the JJB Stadium for £3.5m in July last year.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has also been linked with a potential swoop for the 21-year-old should Xabi Alonso or Javier Mascherano leave Anfield.

Sunderland made their first signing on Saturday, purchasing Cattermole's Under-21 team-mate Fraizer Campbell from Manchester United for a fee of £3.5m.