Sunderland midfielder Lee Cattermole is reportedly a target for several Premier League clubs according to a local paper.
The Northern Echo has reported that Sunderland star Lee Cattermole’s improved disciplinary record is the main reason Stoke and other Premier League sides are interested in signing the midfielder.
The paper’s report states that while he’s been booked 11 times this season, which has led to two spells out through suspension, the fact he’s not been sent off since November 2013 is evidence that he’s learnt how to control his aggression.
Sunderland are in a difficult position with Cattermole because he’s about to enter the final year of his contract and it’s not clear who will be the manager at the Stadium of Light looking ahead to next season.
Dick Advocaat was brought in as manager to try and keep the Black Cats in the Premier League, but whether he would be prepared to stay on if the side dropped into the Championship for the next campaign is doubtful.
Sunderland have to judge whether to try and enter talks over a new deal with Cattermole or whether to move him on and net a fee, which they can’t do until the club’s divisional status and their manager for next season has been decided.
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