Sunderland hope to fly in Schalke defender Heiko Westermann for further talks.

Westermann has rejected a £6 million move to the Black Cats.

But the Sunderland Echo says there's every chance that the player's initial response will change.

Sunderland are likely to invite Westermann to Wearside, hoping that he will be impressed by the size of the club and its facilities.

Belgian keeper Simon Mignolet, signed by Sunderland last week, turned down PSV Eindhoven in the wake of his visit to England which convinced him this was a club going places.

And the Black Cats will hope Westermann accepts a similar invitation.