Jermain Defoe has opened talks with Bournemouth over a move to the south coast club., according to Sky sources.

The England striker has a clause in his contract which means he can move for free following Sunderland's relegation to the Sky Bet Championship, and the Cherries held initial talks with Defoe's representatives on Monday with a deal expected to be completed within the next few days following formal talks with the player himself.

Defoe has scored 34 Premier League goals for Sunderland since arriving from MLS side Toronto in January 2015 in a deal worth £6m.

The 34-year-old's 15 top-flight goals this season have not been enough to keep Sunderland from the drop though, with Bournemouth and West Ham having been interested in signing Defoe since the Black Cats' relegation was confirmed, according to Sky sources.

Defoe was not included in Sunderland's squad for their final game of the Premier League campaign against Chelsea on Sunday, which proved to be David Moyes' last match in charge of the club following his resignation on Monday.

Moyes spoke of his disappointment at Defoe's relegation clause earlier this month, indicating he would not have allowed it to be part of the transfer had he been manager at the time.