Sunderland remain active participants in the transfer market and after completing the £3.5 million transfer of Fraizer Campbell from Manchester United today — the striker is due to have a medical on Wearside — they will renew their attempts to sign Peter Crouch.

Steve Bruce, the Sunderland manager, has had an initial bid of around £11 million rising to a possible £13 million rejected by Portsmouth, but Sunderland are prepared to increase their offer to £15 million for a player they view as a “statement signing”, though they would have to work hard to persuade the 28-year-old about the merits of moving to the Stadium of Light. Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur and AC Milan have also been linked with the England international.

“Portsmouth have financial problems, I think every player is available,” Jonathan Barnett, Crouch’s agent, said. “You would have to speak to Portsmouth to see if they are willing to sell Peter. He does not feel he has been let down, though, and he has a great relationship with Portsmouth. We have not heard anything from Milan or anyone at this stage.”

Wigan Athletic have also turned down a £6 million bid from Bruce, their former manager, for Lee Cattermole, the midfield player. “Lee is not for sale. End of story,” Roberto Martínez, the Wigan manager, said. “He is a fantastic player, a leader on and off the field, and is central to our forward planning.”

Cattermole is understood to be interested in the possibility of returning to his native North East.

Gareth Southgate has insisted that David Wheater, who has been linked with Aston Villa, will not be leaving Middlesbrough this summer.

“David’s not for sale,” he said. “He has expressed his desire to stay, and the likes of him and Matthew Bates — who’s also committed himself to the club — are the types in terms of quality and hunger and desire that we want.”