Latics have told Sunderland in no uncertain terms that Lee Cattermole is not for sale after the Black Cats put in a formal bid for him.

Lee Cattermole

Latics have confirmed that they have point blank rejected a bid for Under 21 International Lee Cattermole. The star midfielder signed for Latics last summer for £3.5 million and it seems that although Steve Bruce is now shopping at Harrods, it looks like he still wants things at Tesco prices.

Roberto Martinez has stressed that Catters is one of the players he wants to build a team around and so he is not for sale. Lee has just come back from a tremendous display for England in the European Championships, where he got a Finals medal.

“Lee is not for sale. End of story,” Martinez said, “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 which is why this offer was rejected immediately.

“It is not usually our style to discuss incoming or outgoing transfers until they are completed, but we have made an exception in this case because I feel so strongly about wanting to keep hold of Lee, along with all my best players.

“He is currently on a well-earned break after his efforts with the 21s in the summer and will be reporting back to training next week. I am looking forward to working with him. He is one of many talented players we have here and I intend to keep hold of all of our best players.”

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