Sunderland have set their sights on Jermain Defoe.

Although Andre Villas-Boas insists the England international is part of his Tottenham Hotspur plans, speculation over his future has been rife in recent weeks.

Reading were said to have made a £5million bid for the 29-year-old last month, and now it is claimed the Black Cats are willing to match this offer.

Manager Martin O’Neill is a long-term fan of Defoe, and he would make the striker the centre-point of his attack at the Stadium of Light.

Get all the latest news on your club. Visit 360 Football, the best football news aggregator on the web!