Lee Cattermole's Sunderland future remains in doubt after he turned down a move to Stoke City last week.
The People says the midfielder refused to budge in a £5million switch after the Black Cats would not give him a pay-off.
Cattermole is under contract on £45,000-a-week for the next couple of seasons, but the 25-year-old would not make the switch to the Potters without a golden handshake.
The decision annoyed boss Gus Poyet, who left Cattermole out of yesterday's 3-0 win at Newcastle and may sideline him for a long time.
