According to journalist James Copley from local newspaper, the Sunderland Echo, Florent Ghisolfi, the club’s sporting director, is leading the process to meet the request of coach Regis Le Bris, who is looking for an attacking player capable of playing both as a winger and as a right wing-back.
Although no agreement has yet been reached between the clubs, talks are ongoing regarding the move of Geny Catamo to the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland are looking to strengthen their squad ahead of their participation in the Europa League, their first appearance in a European competition since 1973.
The Mozambican international is under contract with Sporting and is protected by a release clause set at 60 million euros (£51m), although Sporting are not expected to demand the full amount to allow the deal to go through in this transfer window.
Last season, Geny scored seven goals for the Alvalade club, where he has already made over a hundred appearances.
If the move to England is confirmed, he will be reunited in the Black Cats dressing room with his former national team-mate, left-back Reinildo Mandava.