Sunderland boss Gus Poyet is delighted he chose to keep hold of Lee Cattermole over the summer.
Cattermole is set to line up against Stoke City on Saturday at the Stadium of Light, but could easily have found himself facing the Black Cats had Poyet not pulled the plug on a £5m move last season.
"In transfer windows, it's the best decision I have made," Poyet told the Evening Chronicle.
"I've got no doubt about that.
"I'm sure, with all respect to Stoke and to Catts, he's happier here.
"His reaction to the decision was spectacular.
"Because, - and I'm not talking about Lee here - but let's say we get an offer from a top six team for a player, and the offer is good but it is possible for you to say 'no'.
"Then you don't know what the reaction of the player will be, after he has lost the chance to join a certain team.
"With everything that happened with Catts before we got here [he was frozen out at the start of last season by Poyet's predecessor Paolo Di Canio] and the momentum of the team at that time in January - it was difficult.
"And with Liam [Bridcutt] coming in, he might have wondered how he fitted into the plan.
"That's only natural.
"But I spoke to the owner, he said if I did not want to sell then I didn't have to and I made the decision.
"And it has worked out well for everybody, I think."
