SUNDERLAND are ready to step up their pursuit of Lee Cattermole following the end of the European Under-21s Championship, but they will find Wigan reluctant to do business.

Stockton-born Cattermole is under contract at the DW Stadium until the summer of 2011 and the Black Cats had been hoping to land the midfielder in a £6m deal.

However, with Wigan chairman Dave Whelan insisting the player is not for sale, Sunderland manager Steve Bruce will have to discuss with chairman Niall Quinn how much they are prepared to pay.

It has been suggested that there have already been discussions between the clubs, with the figure of £6m floated as a possibility.

But having established himself as a key player for England Under-21s in Sweden – where he was part of the team that lost 4-0 to Germany in Monday night’s final – there is increased competition for his services.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp wants Cattermole to join his former Wigan team-mate Wilson Palacios at White Hart Lane, and Whelan feels that has increased his price. Liverpool have also been mentioned.

During Bruce’s days in charge of Wigan he agreed to pay Middlesbrough £3.5m for him a year ago and Wigan are not thought to be willing to even consider anything less than double that.

With Sunderland due back for pre-season training a week today, Bruce is looking to make progress on his transfer targets before they head for a friendly in Portugal with Portimonense on July 19 .