An exciting Sunderland transfer update has emerged regarding veteran striker Jermain Defoe...

What's the talk?

Journalist Dharmesh Sheth has revealed that the Black Cats are among a number of clubs keen on a short-term deal for the forward after his departure from Rangers, with the 39-year-old also interested in taking up a coaching role further down the line.

He told Sky Sports News’ The Transfer Show, via This is Futbol: “He said on the show last week that his phone was red-hot, it wouldn’t stop ringing – lots of interest in Jermain Defoe. We’re told today, Sunderland, Ipswich, Charlton Athletic and Oxford all interested in signing Jermain Defoe on a short-term deal that will take him until the end of the season.

“Now, he’s also got coaching offers as well, which is why he hasn’t fully made his mind up whether he’ll continue playing until the end of the season. I think that would be his preference, but if a coaching offer came along that he couldn’t refuse, it would be something that he would definitely have to think about."

Delight for Lee Johnson

Lee Johnson will be delighted with this news for several reasons. Firstly, it shows that Sunderland are right in the mix for his signature as a player alongside other League One clubs who do not have a pre-existing relationship with him heading into this transfer window.

This means that the Black Cats could have a slight edge over the likes of Charlton, Ipswich and Oxford, as Defoe has already played at the Stadium of Light and knows his way around the area. The striker could find this appealing if this is to be his final season of playing, so being in a position where he can hit the ground running instead of needing time to settle in could be a key factor in deciding his next move.

The England international scored an impressive 37 goals in 94 games for Sunderland during his time at the club previously. This included 30 Premier League goals in his final two seasons on Wearside, illustrating how enjoyable a spell he had at the club from 2014 to 2017.

Johnson will also be buzzing with this update, as it suggests that Defoe could be willing to take on a coaching role from next season. The 39-year-old has more than 200 career goals to his name, along with 57 caps for England, and his experience could make him a valuable addition to the head coach's backroom staff from the start of the 2022/23 campaign.

Whilst he could offer quality on the pitch in the short-term, having scored 32 goals in 74 games for Rangers in recent years, the coaching he could provide Sunderland moving forward is another reason why this could be a fantastic signing for the club if they can fend off their League One competitors.

AND in other news, Sunderland training ground development emerges which will leave fans buzzing...