Middlesbrough accept Wigan's new offer of £3.5m for Cattermole
have accepted an improved offer of £3.5m from Wigan for England Under-21 midfielder Lee Cattermole.
The arrival of Cattermole, 20, is expected to end Steve Bruce’s interest in Fulham midfielder Jimmy Bullard, but he is still expected to make a fresh attempt to sign Honduran Hendry Thomas from Olimpia in January.
Wigan-bound? Middlesbrough are considering a bid for Lee Cattermole.
Bruce has missed out on his top defensive target after Ghana skipper John Mensah opted for a £6.6m move to Lyon from Rennes.
Earlier today, Boro manager Gareth Southgate told the club's official website, www.mfc.co.uk: 'We have had a revised offer from Wigan and we felt that he was probably not in the right frame of mind to play.
'It's not a done deal, but the offer gives us something to consider and we thought for all parties it was best for him not to play.
'It's not agreed, but it's pretty close to what we are looking for. He is still our player and with us on the trip, but something could happen in the next 24 hours.'
Stockton-born Cattermole burst on to the the scene as a precocious teenager in January 2006 when he made his first senior start in a 2-2 derby draw at Newcastle.
He was used as a substitute in the UEFA Cup final later that season in what was Steve McClaren's last game in charge, but has struggled to establish himself in the team under his successor.
With Julio Arca, Fabio Rochemback and George Boateng also vying for central midfielder berths last season, Cattermole found himself at times playing out of position.
Of his 28 appearances last season, 14 were made from the bench, and with the arrival of Didier Digard and Marvin Emnes this summer, his opportunities could be even more limited next time around.
Southgate revealed last week that the club had received a tentative bid for Cattermole, but with the manager admitting he has to sell before he can buy again, he may decide the time is right to do just that.
Should the player agree to move, the deal would represent another success for the club's academy which brought the local youngster through the ranks.
