Gus Poyet’s Black Cats pounce for Jermain Defoe deal

Sunderland, 10/3 with Coral to be relegated, have reportedly opened discussions to bring former England striker Jermain Defoe back to the Premier League, after a spell at MLS franchise Toronto FC.

The former Tottenham hitman is believed to have agreed a colossal £14m pay deal to make a return to England’s top-flight with Gus Poyet’s side.

Deadly Defoe has been linked with a return to the Premier League for several months and has recently teamed up with old employers Spurs for training, in a bid to improve his fitness ahead of a possible transfer to Wearside.

Poyet’s relegation-threatened Black Cats will be keen to pounce for Defoe, in a move which could boost their chances of avoiding the drop and improve form in front of goal, having recorded just 18 strikes in 21 league games this season.

Defoe is already a proven Premier League poacher, currently 14th on the all-time list with 124 in the top flight from his spells at West Ham United, Spurs and Portsmouth.

The Toronto talisman will be expected to bolster a toothless Black Cats attack currently comprising of a trio of strikers struggling to find the net this term including Jozy Altidore, Steven Fletcher and Connor Wickham. This trio of hapless forwards have managed just eight goals in all competitions between them, seeing the Mackems fall within a point of the relegation places.

Other sides facing a defiant battle against the drop have reportedly expressed an interest in MLS’ marksman as well, with QPR, Crystal Palace, Hull City and Leicester City among those keeping a close eye on Defoe.

Since departing England for the USA, the former Spurs striker has netted 11 times in 19 appearances for the Toronto franchise, showing he still has a sharp eye for goals.

The 32-year-old will reportedly be offered a three-and-a-half year contract worth £80k-a-week, with the relegation battling Black Cats hoping the clinical centre forward’s prowess in front of goal can help secure Premier League safety this season.

Poyet’s men currently sit in 16th spot, only a point adrift of the drop zone, and are odds-on 1/5 to avoid relegation.