As reported by The Sun, Jermain Defoe is keen on a return to West Ham after the Hammers have a bid rejected for the veteran Sunderland striker.

What's the word?

Defoe is the subject of significant speculation in this January transfer window. The BBC report that the Black Cats have rejected a £6m bid for the former England international already but if latest reports are true, Sunderland face a fight to keep hold of him.

The striker left West Ham United first time round in acrimonious circumstances, many fans unhappy he chose to join London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

And now Defoe wants to right those wrongs.

A source close to the player told The Sun: "Jermain still feels terrible about the whole thing. He was badly advised at the time, when he was just a kid. He accepts that. He loves Sunderland and is doing his best for them and will continue to do so. But there is an emotional attachment to West Ham."

The BBC also report that the Irons are ready to raise their £6m offer for the poacher, which could mean he's set for a Sunderland exit sooner rather than later.

Britain Football Soccer - Sunderland v Hull City - Premier League - The Stadium of Light - 19/11/16 Sunderland's Jermain Defoe celebrates scoring their first goal with Victor Anichebe Action Images via Reuters / Craig Brough Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contac

Can he still offer West Ham something?

At the very start of his career, Defoe scored 41 goals in 105 appearances  for the Hammers. That’s a scoring rate that Irons fans would no doubt find appealing, especially given their lack of action in the penalty box this season.

But is he still capable of it? Put simply, yes.

The veteran striker has scored 11 goals in 20 Premier League games for Sunderland this season. Also offering 2 assists, it’s clear he still has what it takes to be a force in the top flight. That’s a total more than all of West Ham’s strikers put together this season.

He’s enjoyed his time at Sunderland overall. Last season he banged in 18 goals, his highest total since 2009/10 when he was still at Spurs.

Now he wants to do the same for West Ham.

The Sun's source close to the player also said: "If a deal is done and Jermain gets the chance to go back there and score the goals which make sure they stay up and move up the league it would help him heal some old wounds which still hurt him."

Is he set for an emotional return to the Irons?

[ad_pod id='playwire' align='center']