Thursday 4 May 2017 14:55, UK
West Ham are interested in Sunderland forward Jermain Defoe, who is also "an option" for Bournemouth this summer, Sky Sports News HQ understands.
Sources close to the player have told Sky Sports that there is a strong interest in the England international from his former club West Ham, whom he left for Tottenham in January 2004.
Defoe progressed through the Hammers academy in 1999 after moving to the club from Charlton as a 16-year-old.
The striker made his first-team debut for West Ham in September 2000 as a 17-year-old, going on to score 41 goals for the club over four years before departing for Tottenham.
The 34-year-old has scored 14 goals for Sunderland in the league this season, but his exploits were not enough to keep the club in the top flight, with their relegation confirmed after defeat against Bournemouth on Saturday.
Sky sources also understand that the Cherries have earmarked Defoe as a potential transfer target.
The striker spent the 2000-01 season on loan with the club, where he scored in ten consecutive matches, equalling John Aldridge's and Clarrie Jordan's post-war record.
Defoe scored 18 goals in 28 games during his spell with the Cherries as an 18-year-old.
Defoe was recently handed an England recall by manager Gareth Southgate and scored on his return against Lithuania in a World Cup Qualifier, having not featured for the national side since 2013.
