Sunderland AFC news: Defoe linked with Bournemouth, interest in left-back, Everton want ex-boss

Defoe - who enjoyed a loan spell at Bournemouth at the start of his career - was heavily linked with the Cherries both last summer and during the January transfer window.

And reports today have indicated that the 33-year-old remains a target for Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe, who could make a move for Sunderland's top scorer if the Black Cats are unsuccessful in their bid to remain in the Premier League.

Defoe is not the only Sunderland player to be linked with a move away from the club, with talk in Italy that Patrick van Aanholt is a possible target for Roma.

Van Aanholt was linked with Crystal Palace last week and has shown dramatic improvement since Sam Allardyce took charge at the Stadium of Light.

The left-back has been talking about Sunderland's bid to avoid relegation and insists they remain in a strong position, with a game in hand on fourth bottom Newcastle United.

“We’ve still got a game in hand on Newcastle, so we just have to focus on ourselves," said van Aanholt.

Meanwhile, former Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill has become a surprise new favourite to take charge at Everton, if Roberto Martinez leaves Goodison Park this summer.

Martinez's future is the subject of intense speculation and O'Neill - sacked by Sunderland three years ago - has seen his odds slashed by the bookmakers.