SUNDERLAND have reportedly made a bid for West Ham defender Anton Ferdinand.

The former England Under-21 international has been linked with a move away from Upton Park all summer, with rumours intensifying in recent weeks after Ferdinand turned down a generous offer of a new contract.

Now Black Cats boss Roy Keane, who has made no secret that he wants to bolster his defence, has tempted the Hammers into selling by making an offer thought to in the region of £6million-£8million.

North East rivals Newcastle also remain in the hunt for the 23-year-old but have yet to make a firm bid.

Sunderland, on the other hand, want to push the deal through before the transfer deadline.

However Ferdinand - a Londoner and lifelong Hammers supporter who has been at Upton Park since he was a child - may decide against swapping the East End for the North East of England.

He was not keen on a move to nearby Newcastle when the Magpies asked him to fly the nest and head to Tyneside a couple of months ago.

The Peckham-born player has made 161 league and cup appearances and scored five goals for West Ham since making his debut in the 2-1 Championship win at Preston North End in August 2003.