Wigan Athletic have made an improved offer, believed to be around £3.5 million, for Middlesbrough midfielder Lee Cattermole.

The Latics are keen to sign the England under-21 international to provide a combative edge to their midfield ahead of the new Premier League season, which begins next month.

Stockton-born Cattermole missed Boro's pre-season friendly at Celtic last night, which finished 1-1, due to ongoing negotiations between the teams.

And manager Gareth Southgate revealed he took the decision to exclude the player from his squad because "he was probably not in the right frame of mind to play".

"We've had a revised offer from Wigan," Southgate revealed to the club's official website.

"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're looking for. He's still our player and with us on the trip but something could happen in the next 24 hours."
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