The former Wigan battler, who played in Sunday’s 1-0 win against Manchester City, is rated highly by Sir Alex Ferguson.
Cattermole has been criticised in the press recently for his lack of discipline, with Black Cats manager Steve Bruce even bringing in World Cup final referee Howard Webb to speak to his squad about avoiding unnecessary bookings this season.
And despite seeing the youngster - who was named Bruce's captain in the summer - red carded in his side's opening Premier League match against Birmingham City, Ferguson has apparently not been put off.
Bruce will be keen to hold onto the midfielder though, and is thought to have privately warned Ferguson off making a last-gasp bid.
